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leefybeaf's reviews
72 reviews
Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang Vol. 1 by priest
3.5
I will start by saying I love Priest! Writing, world, characters–all of it is lovely and well thought out. Sha Po Lang is definitely tough for me, maybe it's just because it's volume one.
I believe Priest devoted a lot of time in the beginning of the story to really trying to make the uncommon (violet gold and literally all the other steampunk stuff–took me 3 chapters after kites were mentioned to realize they were boats) elements make sense. I also think this first volume shows key traits with the main characters.
Despite some strange words, the difference in all the important characters is nice. I can easily describe Chang Geng, Gu Yun, and the other three I don't feel like naming to others.
Priest also does something I don't see often and feature characters that are disabled. I like Gu Yun's struggle to really admit what's wrong with him because he sees it as a weakness and goes to extremes (that get worse with time) just to avoid telling people (like Chang Geng who still isn't 100% sure he's even deaf). I also like that Liao Ran is mute. I just like him in general.
I have a lot of questions for this book and definitely see myself buying the next volume in the future. Will I do it immediately? Probably not.
On the topic of the romance though: Chang Geng lusting after his yifu is not subtle (me too tho #relatable). I saw all of "those lips surely wouldn't be very soft, or very sweet—they would probably even be bitter" ..... why are you thinking about his lips?
I believe Priest devoted a lot of time in the beginning of the story to really trying to make the uncommon (violet gold and literally all the other steampunk stuff–took me 3 chapters after kites were mentioned to realize they were boats) elements make sense. I also think this first volume shows key traits with the main characters.
Despite some strange words, the difference in all the important characters is nice. I can easily describe Chang Geng, Gu Yun, and the other three I don't feel like naming to others.
Priest also does something I don't see often and feature characters that are disabled. I like Gu Yun's struggle to really admit what's wrong with him because he sees it as a weakness and goes to extremes (that get worse with time) just to avoid telling people (like Chang Geng who still isn't 100% sure he's even deaf). I also like that Liao Ran is mute. I just like him in general.
I have a lot of questions for this book and definitely see myself buying the next volume in the future. Will I do it immediately? Probably not.
On the topic of the romance though: Chang Geng lusting after his yifu is not subtle (me too tho #relatable). I saw all of "those lips surely wouldn't be very soft, or very sweet—they would probably even be bitter" ..... why are you thinking about his lips?
The Husky & His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun (Novel) Vol. 3 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
5.0
The Husky & His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun (Novel) Vol. 5 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
4.0
I have a lot to say about this one. Definitely a 3.5 that I can round up to 4 after the last chapters.
Maybe it's the way Seven Seas chooses to publish 2ha, but these past two volumes have been something for me. I found this one to be a lot more compelling compared to vol. 4 though.
The conflict in this book was what I had been wanting in book 4. The drama of the wedding and accusations of cheating spurred by Mo Ran.... only for an elder who's actually the younger brother of Nangong Liu to set fire to the entire city and use a bunch of forbidden techniques Mo Ran is pretending to not know so much about. (I will pretend I don't know anything as well.)
And then there was money. If I remember correctly, this is where I got slightly bored and only continued because I knew confessions would be soon. I did enjoy the brocade pouch part.... you have to be gay as hell to keep that.
Finally, Wanning. Most anticipated chapter in my read. Not much to say besides thoroughly enjoyed. I love swords.
Favorite quote: "Chu Wanning liked him, Chu Wanning... Chu Wanning liked him!"
^ amazing thought process. love it.
I did find the narration in the scenes when their romantic feelings were at the forefront to be really nice. I loved seeing both of them doubt themselves and the panic on Chu Wanning's part.
Anyway:
plot 5/5; pacing 3/5; romance 5/5
I don't do math so who cares if that isn't 4 stars.
Maybe it's the way Seven Seas chooses to publish 2ha, but these past two volumes have been something for me. I found this one to be a lot more compelling compared to vol. 4 though.
The conflict in this book was what I had been wanting in book 4. The drama of the wedding and accusations of cheating spurred by Mo Ran.... only for an elder who's actually the younger brother of Nangong Liu to set fire to the entire city and use a bunch of forbidden techniques Mo Ran is pretending to not know so much about. (I will pretend I don't know anything as well.)
And then there was money. If I remember correctly, this is where I got slightly bored and only continued because I knew confessions would be soon. I did enjoy the brocade pouch part.... you have to be gay as hell to keep that.
Finally, Wanning. Most anticipated chapter in my read. Not much to say besides thoroughly enjoyed. I love swords.
Favorite quote: "Chu Wanning liked him, Chu Wanning... Chu Wanning liked him!"
^ amazing thought process. love it.
I did find the narration in the scenes when their romantic feelings were at the forefront to be really nice. I loved seeing both of them doubt themselves and the panic on Chu Wanning's part.
Anyway:
plot 5/5; pacing 3/5; romance 5/5
I don't do math so who cares if that isn't 4 stars.
The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun de Zhangxin Yu Chong (Novel) Vol. 1 by Xue Shan Fei Hu
4.5
I found this book really easy to read, and I really liked that. Li Yu is such an entertaining narrator to me that I just wanted more. The danmeis I've read in the past have tended to be quite intense right as it starts so having something simple and silly like this was great.
My favorite part was definitely Li Yu's easy acceptance at being a fish. I mean... considering the life he ended up with... I'd want to be a fish too.
Will continue to spread the word to my friends I am reading fish romance.
Favorite quote: "Li Yu was thrilled. Aaaahhh! He's petting me again!"
^ Pretty gay... pretty gay Li Yu... (also found it funny how casual Li Yu goes about mentioning how he read the original book [a danmei])
My favorite part was definitely Li Yu's easy acceptance at being a fish. I mean... considering the life he ended up with... I'd want to be a fish too.
Will continue to spread the word to my friends I am reading fish romance.
Favorite quote: "Li Yu was thrilled. Aaaahhh! He's petting me again!"
^ Pretty gay... pretty gay Li Yu... (also found it funny how casual Li Yu goes about mentioning how he read the original book [a danmei])