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46jjsg 's review for:
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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:
Yes
I felt very conflicted about this novel and it was incredibly difficult for me to rate. As a big fan of historical political intrigue novels, I was excited to read a new novel that's a baihe and had high expectations going into this novel only to leave somewhat disappointed.
Pros/Cons:
- 8/10 The World Building. I love love loved the first half of the book. Yes, it was incredibly slow, but we got so much world-building (the military, the capital, and everything in between), relationship-building (I still look at the friendships built in this section fondly), and excellent character backgrounds (specifically the background, drive, and personalities of the main characters). Unfortunately, this all crumbles apart (for me personally) in the second half- especially the last 20 or so chapters. I'm not sure if people were complaining about the lack of romance and all the war/battles, but the switch up of the novel being mostly political intrigue with a subplot of romance turned into a romance novel with some weak political stuff going around in the background. More on this later, but I felt blindsided by this switch and the pacing of the last arc.
- 8/10 Side Characters. Some of my favorite side characters written!! I love my side lesbians. I love how the side characters are written with care and they have their own stories outside the main characters. You can really see the strength of the side characters in the chapter with Yu Wan's confession. I know a lot of people are fans of the side characters in the extra (I am as well!), but Yu Wan's confession as this heart that was lacking with the extras (most likely because the extras are much more light-hearted). Also I loved loved loved Lin Yue- loyal, funny, and I can't talk about him in full because I will breakdown. I have a huge grudge against the author over the choices she bad in the last arc, but one of my largest complaint is thatwe never hear or see Lin Wanyue's military friends after she returns to the capital. It's such a disservice to the relationships and friendships (brotherhood!!) she built in the first half of the novel. I just can't understand why the author would back this choice, because instead of getting closure to those important side characters we get extras from other side characters? Don't get me wrong, those side characters are a delight but what about LWY's old military comrades?
Overall, I agree with the author's statement that "if you get [the main couple's romance], you get it. If you don't, and feel that it's washed out, that it's not satisfying, I can't do anything about that." And I just didn't get it. I like the main characters individually, but their relationship just didn't work for me... which I guess doesn't matter- glad they're happy and the author is satisfied... it's their baby ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pros/Cons:
- 8/10 The World Building. I love love loved the first half of the book. Yes, it was incredibly slow, but we got so much world-building (the military, the capital, and everything in between), relationship-building (I still look at the friendships built in this section fondly), and excellent character backgrounds (specifically the background, drive, and personalities of the main characters). Unfortunately, this all crumbles apart (for me personally) in the second half- especially the last 20 or so chapters. I'm not sure if people were complaining about the lack of romance and all the war/battles, but the switch up of the novel being mostly political intrigue with a subplot of romance turned into a romance novel with some weak political stuff going around in the background. More on this later, but I felt blindsided by this switch and the pacing of the last arc.
- 8/10 Side Characters. Some of my favorite side characters written!! I love my side lesbians. I love how the side characters are written with care and they have their own stories outside the main characters. You can really see the strength of the side characters in the chapter with Yu Wan's confession. I know a lot of people are fans of the side characters in the extra (I am as well!), but Yu Wan's confession as this heart that was lacking with the extras (most likely because the extras are much more light-hearted). Also I loved loved loved Lin Yue- loyal, funny, and I can't talk about him in full because I will breakdown. I have a huge grudge against the author over the choices she bad in the last arc, but one of my largest complaint is that
Overall, I agree with the author's statement that "if you get [the main couple's romance], you get it. If you don't, and feel that it's washed out, that it's not satisfying, I can't do anything about that." And I just didn't get it. I like the main characters individually, but their relationship just didn't work for me... which I guess doesn't matter- glad they're happy and the author is satisfied... it's their baby ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, War
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infertility, Kidnapping
Minor: Miscarriage, Lesbophobia