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clarrlinn 's review for:
Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang Vol. 1
by priest
12/02/2025
4.5 stars for the whole heartbreaking series
I literally have zero expectations coming into this story and it has succeeded to blow me away.

If I have to describe Sha Po Lang , it'd be about the saga of two men who desperately tried to spare their nation from utter destruction, and through that shared cause, a great, enduring, powerful love blossomed between them. If you know anything about the late Qing resistance against foreign powers, Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang screams that era, but it's sort of like a wish-fulfillment on what if China wouldn't need to undergo that Century of Humiliation. Ultimately, it's a story about the revitalization of a crumbling nation, and I'm honestly living for it.
To be honest, I'm not even sure why I had no expectations coming into this book. It had everything I loved from a book: politics, steampunk shenanigans, and well-written characters. But I was happy with that state of mind, because I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if I had too many preconceptions coming to the story.
The plot is overall great. I find it to be especially strong in the first half, but found the second half to be faltering compared to its predecessor. However, I feel that the central relationship between Chang Geng and Gu Yun carried the second half, so I still found the whole experience to be enjoyable. Like, I literally couldn't stop reading it.

Chang Geng is a great protagonist. He can be so incredibly, gut-wrenchingly strong and vulnerable, and being the underdog in the court makes you want to root for him so badly. He's so resilient, even when the odds are stacked against him.

Gu Yun defied all of my preconceptions about him. I realized that I had a certain archetype stamped on him when I walked into the story and this man just ruthlessly annihilated that idea. I love him to bits – he's so capable of being so irritating, endearing, and heartbreaking at the same time. There were moments where he actually broke my heart, even when he tries to laugh it off. Anyways, even if the book doesn't stick with you, I'd fail to understand how the hell you can hate this man. What an unhinged, batshit crazy menace who just refused to bow to destiny. An absolute unkillable madlad.
The side cast is also incredibly compelling. Shen Yi and Gu Yun made a magnificent comedic duo. Chen Qingxu was a needed breath of fresh air in the middle of all the insanity in the story. This story attempts to humanize everyone, even down to the incompetent Li Feng. I like how the story takes its time with most of the cast, but the series never once felt contrived. I also personally found it to be refreshing that the story is plot-heavy, and the romance sort of takes a backseat. It's there, and it'll steal your heart, but the plot stands strong on its own merit, which is really, really cool.
Anyways, I adored this story, and if you're up for some strong disabled rep, political tea, and some steampunk awesomeness, this book is a perfect read for all of that. As for me? Well, I've finally found a new obsession to hyperfixate for a while.
___
09/02/2025
review tbr bc i need 7 business days to process why i never picked this book up until today, but 5 stars
4.5 stars for the whole heartbreaking series
"A pair like Prince Yan and Gu Yun were truly a rare sight."
I literally have zero expectations coming into this story and it has succeeded to blow me away.
If I have to describe Sha Po Lang , it'd be about the saga of two men who desperately tried to spare their nation from utter destruction, and through that shared cause, a great, enduring, powerful love blossomed between them. If you know anything about the late Qing resistance against foreign powers, Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang screams that era, but it's sort of like a wish-fulfillment on what if China wouldn't need to undergo that Century of Humiliation. Ultimately, it's a story about the revitalization of a crumbling nation, and I'm honestly living for it.
"In a battlefield, whoever clings to life, will die first."
To be honest, I'm not even sure why I had no expectations coming into this book. It had everything I loved from a book: politics, steampunk shenanigans, and well-written characters. But I was happy with that state of mind, because I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if I had too many preconceptions coming to the story.
The plot is overall great. I find it to be especially strong in the first half, but found the second half to be faltering compared to its predecessor. However, I feel that the central relationship between Chang Geng and Gu Yun carried the second half, so I still found the whole experience to be enjoyable. Like, I literally couldn't stop reading it.
Chang Geng is a great protagonist. He can be so incredibly, gut-wrenchingly strong and vulnerable, and being the underdog in the court makes you want to root for him so badly. He's so resilient, even when the odds are stacked against him.
Gu Yun defied all of my preconceptions about him. I realized that I had a certain archetype stamped on him when I walked into the story and this man just ruthlessly annihilated that idea. I love him to bits – he's so capable of being so irritating, endearing, and heartbreaking at the same time. There were moments where he actually broke my heart, even when he tries to laugh it off. Anyways, even if the book doesn't stick with you, I'd fail to understand how the hell you can hate this man. What an unhinged, batshit crazy menace who just refused to bow to destiny. An absolute unkillable madlad.
The side cast is also incredibly compelling. Shen Yi and Gu Yun made a magnificent comedic duo. Chen Qingxu was a needed breath of fresh air in the middle of all the insanity in the story. This story attempts to humanize everyone, even down to the incompetent Li Feng. I like how the story takes its time with most of the cast, but the series never once felt contrived. I also personally found it to be refreshing that the story is plot-heavy, and the romance sort of takes a backseat. It's there, and it'll steal your heart, but the plot stands strong on its own merit, which is really, really cool.
Anyways, I adored this story, and if you're up for some strong disabled rep, political tea, and some steampunk awesomeness, this book is a perfect read for all of that. As for me? Well, I've finally found a new obsession to hyperfixate for a while.
Gu Yun began to laugh.
"What was it?" Chang Geng pressed.
Gu Yun tugged him closer and murmured into his ear, "I wish... to spend the rest of my life growing old with you."
Chang Geng drew in a sharp breath. After a moment to gather himself, he finally said, "You're the one who said it. A great general's word is worth more than gold..."
"And lo, I am invincible in battle," Gu Yun finished.
___
09/02/2025
review tbr bc i need 7 business days to process why i never picked this book up until today, but 5 stars