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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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:
N/A
FINALLY FINISHED IT AFTER ALMOST A YEAR AAAAUUUHHHHGGG. Just god. What a story. I need a physical copy in my hands right now before I expire. Brilliant characters, meticulously plotted, I had to stop reading at several points because the emotions it was giving me were just too much. The only reason why this isn't a 5/5 is because towards the end some parts felt like it was both dragging and too short like the author was rushing to finish, as well as the ending? I'm not sure how I feel about it, I kinda wanted for Jingnu and Qi yan to never meet again but that's because I enjoy tragedy shdgdgdj. Still very much worth it though. The dissolution of their relationship is gonna live in my head for a very long time. Just the way that Qi Yan formed Jingnu into a mirror of herself and the way that directly led to the way it ended 👌. Anyways. Read it. Experience heart palpitations over court politics and ancient Chinese bureaucracy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Woweee wayyy better than that tgcf crap. (Better review when I have substantial internet)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Mark me down as heartbroken, yet understanding that the ending makes complete sense and HATING it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I will restart this sometime (hopefully) but I haven't picked it up in so long and I forgot everything so I'll have to start from the beginning again
The book is a little too much of a commitment for me right now, I'm very bad at reading long stories
The book is a little too much of a commitment for me right now, I'm very bad at reading long stories
so many multifaceted female characters which was great. and quite easy to read even though it was political
Long, compelling, plot upon plot.
If one has the stomach for reading lots of plotting and manipulation and people conversing, then it's really good. The pacing does not change too much, so if the first 10 chapters do not drag you in, this may not be the book for you. For me, that enjoys these things, this was one hell of a page turner (clicker?). I was thoroughly drawn in, spending two entire weekends on it.
Our protagonists are compelling characters. We begin the book mostly interested in Qiyan's story, completely on her side, all revved up for some good old plotting, manipulation, and murder. It seems like the standard revenge plot. As it progresses, however, our opinions change to mirror Qiyan's. It is hard to hate the naive and wild Jingnu as she starts out. We watch Jingnu slowly lose that ignorant side to her, growing up to suit the position she occupies. I came to love her too. It was sad to watch her lose innocence along with the naivete, but I am glad she retains her emotional side. It is a good contrast with Qiyan's quietly calculating personality.
Neither of the protagonists are oblivious, and it is refreshing to see self awareness. Although it can get a little tiring to read Qiyan grappling with her own motives, actions, and intentions, it is a necessary character arc, as these are deeply related to her trauma, revenge, and growth. She settles into unstable compromises with herself that cause most of the conflict for the latter parts of the book.
If you start the story for the revenge plot, know that while Qiyan's plans face many setbacks and revisions, she gets it. It's just not very satisfying for her or the reader, after everything that's happened. That's to be expected, and seems to be part of the point the author is trying to make.
If you come for the lesbian romance, know that it is fraught and painful and filled with lies and betrayal. Then again Qiyan did marry the daughter of her biggest enemy, what did you expect? They get their happy ending, but that too is, um. Hm. These women are definitely deeply obsessed with each other.
Over the 300+ chapters, neither the revenge plot nor the romance plot is ever sacrificed. In fact it is the intersection of the two that causes the conflict and character development.
I speak a lot of character development, but really this book is very very plotty. Just so much plot. Even when they are just chilling the plot is developing.
I often judge long books by how well they show side characters. Over the course of this book, the side characters are well fleshed out, and their intersections with our protagonists are believable. When stories have a huge cast, it is usually a problem keeping track of names and identities. However, with this book I had no problem recognizing names and motives as they appeared and reappeared over the years.
However, the story does not delve deeply into the antagonists, especially the main one. Her background was somewhat explained in the extras, but not enough for me! I wish there was another extra showing what happened to her post-canon. (Edit: PDL clarified her fate in an interview) I really do wish she had spared a line or two for Bayin, Jiya, and Jinwushu. But this might just be an example of the authors skill, leaving the reader so thirsty for extra content.
The ending was pretty rushed, but the author did say she wrote it twice in one day after her computer restarted, losing the draft, so fair enough. Perhaps one day she'll return and edit to add pacing and information about character fates, but I doubt it.
Reading the author's notes and learning that she'd struggle with cerebral vasospasm, and still update such long chapters everyday to survive in jjwxc's ecosystem, ultimately producing over a million words, I have a lot of respect for her. Additional respect for the translators, allowing us who cannot read Chinese to read the story.
I hope to one day legally purchase a printed copy of the translation for my bookshelf. It's too long for me to reread anytime soon, but it's a great story.
If one has the stomach for reading lots of plotting and manipulation and people conversing, then it's really good. The pacing does not change too much, so if the first 10 chapters do not drag you in, this may not be the book for you. For me, that enjoys these things, this was one hell of a page turner (clicker?). I was thoroughly drawn in, spending two entire weekends on it.
Our protagonists are compelling characters. We begin the book mostly interested in Qiyan's story, completely on her side, all revved up for some good old plotting, manipulation, and murder. It seems like the standard revenge plot. As it progresses, however, our opinions change to mirror Qiyan's. It is hard to hate the naive and wild Jingnu as she starts out. We watch Jingnu slowly lose that ignorant side to her, growing up to suit the position she occupies. I came to love her too. It was sad to watch her lose innocence along with the naivete, but I am glad she retains her emotional side. It is a good contrast with Qiyan's quietly calculating personality.
Neither of the protagonists are oblivious, and it is refreshing to see self awareness. Although it can get a little tiring to read Qiyan grappling with her own motives, actions, and intentions, it is a necessary character arc, as these are deeply related to her trauma, revenge, and growth. She settles into unstable compromises with herself that cause most of the conflict for the latter parts of the book.
If you start the story for the revenge plot, know that while Qiyan's plans face many setbacks and revisions, she gets it. It's just not very satisfying for her or the reader, after everything that's happened. That's to be expected, and seems to be part of the point the author is trying to make.
If you come for the lesbian romance, know that it is fraught and painful and filled with lies and betrayal. Then again Qiyan did marry the daughter of her biggest enemy, what did you expect? They get their happy ending, but that too is, um. Hm. These women are definitely deeply obsessed with each other.
Over the 300+ chapters, neither the revenge plot nor the romance plot is ever sacrificed. In fact it is the intersection of the two that causes the conflict and character development.
I speak a lot of character development, but really this book is very very plotty. Just so much plot. Even when they are just chilling the plot is developing.
I often judge long books by how well they show side characters. Over the course of this book, the side characters are well fleshed out, and their intersections with our protagonists are believable. When stories have a huge cast, it is usually a problem keeping track of names and identities. However, with this book I had no problem recognizing names and motives as they appeared and reappeared over the years.
However, the story does not delve deeply into the antagonists, especially the main one. Her background was somewhat explained in the extras, but not enough for me! I wish there was another extra showing what happened to her post-canon. (Edit: PDL clarified her fate in an interview) I really do wish she had spared a line or two for Bayin, Jiya, and Jinwushu. But this might just be an example of the authors skill, leaving the reader so thirsty for extra content.
The ending was pretty rushed, but the author did say she wrote it twice in one day after her computer restarted, losing the draft, so fair enough. Perhaps one day she'll return and edit to add pacing and information about character fates, but I doubt it.
Reading the author's notes and learning that she'd struggle with cerebral vasospasm, and still update such long chapters everyday to survive in jjwxc's ecosystem, ultimately producing over a million words, I have a lot of respect for her. Additional respect for the translators, allowing us who cannot read Chinese to read the story.
I hope to one day legally purchase a printed copy of the translation for my bookshelf. It's too long for me to reread anytime soon, but it's a great story.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Torture, Violence