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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
"All he wanted was to die with Ruan Nanzhu. He hadn’t thought this last wish of his would be so difficult to achieve."
.
Where to even start. I've been putting off reviewing this novel for a week because it would mean that my time with it really did end.
At its core, KoD is an ode to the simple things in life. Somehow, with each gory death, you end up appreciating all the moments spent with our (temporarily
.
Where to even start. I've been putting off reviewing this novel for a week because it would mean that my time with it really did end.
At its core, KoD is an ode to the simple things in life. Somehow, with each gory death, you end up appreciating all the moments spent with our (temporarily
On the verge of death one can enter the world of "the doors", to fight through countless terrifying horrors for a chance at rebirth. Lin Qiushi, diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, is one of those given such a chance and he, well, he just takes it in stride. He's calm, straight-faced, down-to-earth, and extremely adaptable to any changes in life - even if it means imminent death. Whereas, Ruan Nanzhu, our cross-dress loving male lead loves to put on a show, pulling out all the dramatics, just to have a little fun while running for their lives.
The stories and solutions within the doors were all very intriguing, to the point I actually preferred when they were inside the doors. It was a lot of fun looking up some of the folk lore and tall tales behind the doors (and really nostalgic when Slenderman made an appearance). While there are people getting sliced in half or skinned alive, the writing isn't nearly as gorey as other novels I've read. This author's expertise is more towards the psychological impact. It's easy to find yourself holding your breath wondering what terrible thing is going to happen next or how the characters are going to get out of a sticky situation. Then finally heaving a sigh of relief along with the characters once the key is found.
While it seems not many people enjoyed the 11th door I think it was a great culmination of how one handled themselves within the doors. The 11th door would be far more terrifying for someone who slaughtered their way there as opposed to Qiushi and Nanzhu who showed kindness where they could, even to some monsters. The doors provided more opportunity and choice to those who still retained some morals while still giving a happy ending to all that traversed the doors.
The plot twist with the 12th door thrown at us in the extras, no less, was certainly a disappointment though. Felt a bit like a cop-out. There was really no foreshadowing to it and I probably would have been better off without ever having read the extra at all. It just seemed really unnecessary and certainly didn't provide enough background for it to make a real impact. Really, the doors in all could have used more backstory. We never even learn much about the special powers some players were granted.
What really made me knock back a star though was that this author really seems to have a thing against women. If there was an opportunity to go off about women being weak, jealous, and/or dramatic they took it. Even Nanzhu's cross-dressing often seemed like a way to mock the weak-willed and timid women of the novel. The few women who showed any ounce of stoicism were either monsters, put on the back burner, or just flat out killed. The one woman in the Obsidian team was just relegated to being the cook of the team; you never learn anything else about her and she's pretty much always in the kitchen.
Past that, the dynamic between Qiushi and Nanzhu was a lot of fun and emotionally intense, though falling a little flat at times. Got a bit tiring constantly hearing how absolutely, world-ending, beautiful Nanzhu is. And, despite the frequent bring up of whether Qiushi preferred Nanzhu as himself or in cross-dress there was never any serious talk about it. Also, the one thing that really intrigued me about Qiushi was his complete lack of romantic interest in the past but it's never brought up again once he falls for Nanzhu. They had a great relationship built on acceptance for who the other was and the emotional turmoil of possibly leaving the other behind in death was explored well, but everything else was kind of left on the wayside.
All in all, the world of the doors is an incredible look at the human psyche when it comes to death, losing loved ones, and the lengths people will go to to ensure their survival. It just needed more world building and less gender essentialism.
The stories and solutions within the doors were all very intriguing, to the point I actually preferred when they were inside the doors. It was a lot of fun looking up some of the folk lore and tall tales behind the doors (and really nostalgic when Slenderman made an appearance). While there are people getting sliced in half or skinned alive, the writing isn't nearly as gorey as other novels I've read. This author's expertise is more towards the psychological impact. It's easy to find yourself holding your breath wondering what terrible thing is going to happen next or how the characters are going to get out of a sticky situation. Then finally heaving a sigh of relief along with the characters once the key is found.
While it seems not many people enjoyed the 11th door I think it was a great culmination of how one handled themselves within the doors. The 11th door would be far more terrifying for someone who slaughtered their way there as opposed to Qiushi and Nanzhu who showed kindness where they could, even to some monsters. The doors provided more opportunity and choice to those who still retained some morals while still giving a happy ending to all that traversed the doors.
The plot twist with the 12th door thrown at us in the extras, no less, was certainly a disappointment though. Felt a bit like a cop-out. There was really no foreshadowing to it and I probably would have been better off without ever having read the extra at all. It just seemed really unnecessary and certainly didn't provide enough background for it to make a real impact. Really, the doors in all could have used more backstory. We never even learn much about the special powers some players were granted.
What really made me knock back a star though was that this author really seems to have a thing against women. If there was an opportunity to go off about women being weak, jealous, and/or dramatic they took it. Even Nanzhu's cross-dressing often seemed like a way to mock the weak-willed and timid women of the novel. The few women who showed any ounce of stoicism were either monsters, put on the back burner, or just flat out killed. The one woman in the Obsidian team was just relegated to being the cook of the team; you never learn anything else about her and she's pretty much always in the kitchen.
Past that, the dynamic between Qiushi and Nanzhu was a lot of fun and emotionally intense, though falling a little flat at times. Got a bit tiring constantly hearing how absolutely, world-ending, beautiful Nanzhu is. And, despite the frequent bring up of whether Qiushi preferred Nanzhu as himself or in cross-dress there was never any serious talk about it. Also, the one thing that really intrigued me about Qiushi was his complete lack of romantic interest in the past but it's never brought up again once he falls for Nanzhu. They had a great relationship built on acceptance for who the other was and the emotional turmoil of possibly leaving the other behind in death was explored well, but everything else was kind of left on the wayside.
All in all, the world of the doors is an incredible look at the human psyche when it comes to death, losing loved ones, and the lengths people will go to to ensure their survival. It just needed more world building and less gender essentialism.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
wow! this was a ride for sure. in all honesty i didn't really know what i was getting into with this one but it gripped me right from the get-go. through all the horror i fell in love with the cast of characters, especially our main duo, love you lil freaks♡ but even the side characters were fleshed out enough to make you have feelings about them (positive or negative). i've come across similar concepts before but i think the author executed it really well, like the mysteries were complex, i could rarely figure them out so the tension got me every time. the end as well... omg i didn't see it coming at all hats off to a plot twist well executed is all i can say.
anyway, overall i loved it a lot and imo the second door was actually the creepiest, idk i could just picture it so vividly it freaked me out lmao
anyway, overall i loved it a lot and imo the second door was actually the creepiest, idk i could just picture it so vividly it freaked me out lmao
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
"Lin Qiushi don't you get it? Any world without you is false!"
i ate this ln UP. Absolutely CONSUMED IT.
qiushi + nanzhu are so... fucking adorable im actually gonna have a fight with someone. theyre one of the best couples i have seen in a while.
the concept of doors is one of the best things in this ln, even though its absolutely terrifying and i could never, i love them so so so much.
qianli deserved so much better, the scene where yixie clutches his body made me tear my soul out, qianli my poor boy.
love love love loved it sm
i ate this ln UP. Absolutely CONSUMED IT.
qiushi + nanzhu are so... fucking adorable im actually gonna have a fight with someone. theyre one of the best couples i have seen in a while.
the concept of doors is one of the best things in this ln, even though its absolutely terrifying and i could never, i love them so so so much.
qianli deserved so much better, the scene where yixie clutches his body made me tear my soul out, qianli my poor boy.
love love love loved it sm
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Absolutely insane book, it was over 2000 pages, but felt like a lot less and there was barely a moment I was bored. I'm not the best with horror (I still have nightmares about a supernatural ep I watched 10 years ago), but I forced myself to power through (though, only during the day lol) just because of how entertained I was throughout. The author writes tension and dread really well: even if you know what is coming, the moment it happens you flinch back anyways, and there wasn't any of the eyebrow raising I usually experience with either horror books or danmei. All of the doors were so well thought-out and researched, and some genuinely kept me up at night. The characters were all so well done, Ruan Nanzhu my snarky bestie, and Tan Zaozao being my faves, but I truly loved or loved to hated everyone. Also the author is so funny??? Truly can do it all.
The only real gripe I have involves the extras and one specific scene near-ish to the end, but I'm just going to ignore those.
The only real gripe I have involves the extras and one specific scene near-ish to the end, but I'm just going to ignore those.
Este libro es más que asombroso
No creo poder volver a dormir en paz un rato, pero valió la pena
Y de hecho, sigo sin poder digerir el final agridulce :( solo me consuelo pensando que cada uno de los personajes hallaron paz, aunque ilusoria
Ruan Nanzhu y Lin Qiushi se llevaron mi corazón al igual que todos los demás personajes secundarios
Estoy....sin palabras
I'm only scared I won't get to die with you"
No creo poder volver a dormir en paz un rato, pero valió la pena
Y de hecho, sigo sin poder digerir el final agridulce :( solo me consuelo pensando que cada uno de los personajes hallaron paz, aunque ilusoria
Ruan Nanzhu y Lin Qiushi se llevaron mi corazón al igual que todos los demás personajes secundarios
Estoy....sin palabras
I'm only scared I won't get to die with you"
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated