Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'
The Untamed 01. - A démoni kultiváció nagymestere by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
9 reviews
eatingbrains's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Pretty solid start for a series. There's a huge cast of characters who have various forms of address so it can be difficult to keep track of everything in the beginning.
The dynamic between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is hard to describe of only because you don't know the whole history they have yet, nor where it will go in the future. So far, one is basically a class clown/jock type while the other is a stoic nerd type and I'm having a great time with it.
The dynamic between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is hard to describe of only because you don't know the whole history they have yet, nor where it will go in the future. So far, one is basically a class clown/jock type while the other is a stoic nerd type and I'm having a great time with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, War, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Bullying
particledamage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I decided to give the novels a try after watching the drama, CQL.
And after reading just volume 1, I will say, I appreciate the novel for expanding and clarifying the lore, but I think my "canon" will be the drama.
MXTX truly struggles to relay exposition in a smooth manner, instead choosing random info dumps that derail the plot and make it very unclear who knows what. I have no idea what information Wei Wuxian knows (or how he knows it, after coming back) and what information is included just for me, with him unaware.
This story is a diamond in the rough. Knowing what I know about how this ends (and also how much has been changed from original text to adaption, as I have also read the manhua and also several posts comparing the drama to the novels), I think the drama improved this story which lays down an amazing foundation. Great ideas, intriguing characters, but so much mess in between.
And after reading just volume 1, I will say, I appreciate the novel for expanding and clarifying the lore, but I think my "canon" will be the drama.
MXTX truly struggles to relay exposition in a smooth manner, instead choosing random info dumps that derail the plot and make it very unclear who knows what. I have no idea what information Wei Wuxian knows (or how he knows it, after coming back) and what information is included just for me, with him unaware.
This story is a diamond in the rough. Knowing what I know about how this ends (and also how much has been changed from original text to adaption, as I have also read the manhua and also several posts comparing the drama to the novels), I think the drama improved this story which lays down an amazing foundation. Great ideas, intriguing characters, but so much mess in between.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Body horror, Child abuse, War, Murder, Death, Alcohol, Blood, Mental illness, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Child death
illiteratenerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
2.0
In 2021 North American publisher Seven Seas announced licensing for English publication multiple novel series by Chinese author Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù (MXTX). My initial reaction to this was both excited and a little uneasy. The latter because it marked the launching of an entirely new venture. The first time this publisher would be bringing over any kind of such works at all. Anyone therefore might expect challenges and minor setbacks. Let alone added tests due to acquiring one of the author’s juggernauts the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mó Dào Zǔ Shī (MDZS). Then too I felt a bit of apprehension because of previous history (only in 2020 and updated editorial policies also leading to other plans for re-editing ) involving certain Japanese light novels Seven Seas does have more experience publishing. These concerns felt small in the face of such a big announcement though. I at least put The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation on my wishlist. When December of 2021 came, the first English volume release was the biggest debut in Seven Seas’s history and to bestseller status. I among the hundreds of thousands of readers fortunately did get it as a gift.
At last, this webnovel series that often felt like everyone had read in one form or another except me, I could encounter in an official English translation. A property that I previously had some knowledge of via certain circles, as someone not unfamiliar with genres like xianxia, wuxia, or danmei. A popular work that has spanned multiple media. An example I truly fell in love with through the live-action adaptation (Chén Qíng Lìng [CQL] or The Untamed) during the start of the pandemic. Again, I could consider these fascinating characters and get lost in an original, mature, intricate Chinese m/m high fantasy series. And crucially this time in a predominate and my favourite format— literature.
Unfortunately, my early fears seem to have some foundation. First try as I might, I could not help stopping to reread passages frequently. Pause for the wrong reasons at parts of the supplementary materials to aid readers when it comes to communication, context, and culture. Distractedly thinking about publishing, translation theory and certain discourse while at it. To the point my eyes hurt, setting the book down time and again. Not exactly the experience I was expecting or hoping for. Nor an experience that paralleled those whom I previously knew talked of and praised MXTX over the years.
A couple of months later, in the middle of my still mulling the English edition over, came the publisher Seven Seas addressing growing rumblings regarding proofreading to mistranslation errors. Members of the localisation team previously expressing also regrets and dedication. Thinking back, it was something of a feat that this edition of MDZS arrived when it did. However, I wonder at what cost. These issues do still cause one to wonder exactly about internal goings-on at Seven Seas. Immense workloads and crunched timelines are a recipe for… exactly this trouble. Revising the book naturally should also take some time.
More months passing of course. The promised errata listed on the publisher’s danmei novel website still reflecting only a small number of concerns. An updated version of the first English volume with an August 2022 third edition copyright set in print. Likewise, the updated eBook should at some nearer point become available too. I would stress readers and those interested in the English edition to exercise a lot of patience, in all matters. Although it is the handling of this series in English that moved me from my usual discreet stance when it comes to danmei. Sad and frustrating that sharing a review that represents the most words I have ever said about MDZS, apologetically probably says more about its North American publisher Seven Seas.
So, if one has not done already, especially first try a sample. Then my recommendation is to purchase the books digitally if able, which are more easily updated and can be redownloaded. (Available in Canada, Germany, France, Great Brittan, Ireland, Italy, Philippines, US, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden & Finland). Otherwise delaying more costly print purchases until a later date. Moreover, considering even then, this translation may just not work or be trying to work for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, and War
atlanticgiantpumpkin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I read this book in four days cause my crush really wanted me to read this, and even though my crush is in vain I persevered, though this book made it so enjoyable. I haven’t read a book that fast since high school (Divergent of all things). This was very enjoyable, and while slow burn really gets to me because for the love of god y’all need to kiss already, I sqeed like a fan girl when the little tidbits of romance DID pop up. I’m still mixing up characters because so many people have the same surname, but I’m getting there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Self harm, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Ableism, Child abuse, Hate crime, Bullying, Confinement, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Alcoholism, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Outing, and Mental illness
Any homophobia and abuse is short lived.calyxworld's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a witty, light-hearted, romantic romp, with decidedly dark undertones. The determinedly upbeat main character, Wei Wuxian, means that you rarely focus in depth on the heavier subject materials, and as a result the implications are often more chilling. The somewhat non-chronological story-telling allows the world-building to be filled in as the plot rattles along, and both the world and the characters feel extremely realised. Waiting excitedly for volume two!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol and Homophobia
There are some heavy topics, but generally glossed over to a degree, as the main character does not want to dwell on them. I will be adding the appropriate content warnings for each volume, as opposed to for the book in full - as a result there are some that are not present now, but will be in the reviews for each individual volume.tetetaeskz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest
mustnotblink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I am a western reader with no language knowledge beyond English so I can not attest to the quality of the translation. However, as someone new to this genre, I did read some cultural guides (provided by the non-western portion of fandom) and some general xianxia background and tropes so that I would have a better understanding of the novel. I'm a big fan of fantasy and sci-fi so I am used to being thrown into the deep end of new worlds, but I firmly believe that having this background knowledge made my reading experience 100% better.
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu is very talented at crafting characters that people love. I can attest to that; it was very easy to start loving Wei Wuxian. His narrative is very much unreliable but there is a careful balance between his humorous antics, telling bouts of intelligent problem solving, and the extremely insightful moments of darkness that makes him a joy to read. Lan Wangji holds his cards much closer to his chest, yet allows enough glimpses over time that soon he too became a treasured addition to the shelf of characters I would fight a bitch for.
Do l desperately wish that this book was not split into three volumes so I could read the rest? Absolutely! However, I do think volume 1 did a good job balancing world/character introduction with the mystery plot progression AND flashbacks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Self harm, Mental illness, Body horror, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Torture, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Gore, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: War and Child abuse
booklover_zzz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.75
#9 on the NYT Bestsellers List!? This is well-deserved!
Now, I will proceed to write a full-length review. So, hold on tight folks because this review has been a long time in the making.
Let's start with the good things since social media is so good at focusing on the negative things:
- The images in the book were stellar!! I finally understood why Lan Wangji was so obsessed with Wei Wuxian's buns. 0.0 There were so many pictures of WWX's buns and it was huge! I was honestly shocked.
- The cover design is beautiful and glossy in the right places, up close.
- The cover texture is sturdy and smooth. I also loved the flaps! I accidentally put a drink on the cover earlier this week and guess what?...no water stain on the book! *applause*
- The typesetting and interior layout is beautiful?! XD I'm paying for a physical book so this was the least I was expecting!
- The extra illustration on the inside by moo is amazing and one of my favorite parts of the book.
- Character Guide was hilarious! Enough said.
- The Glossary and Pronunciation Guide are pretty alright for anyone who's never picked up a danmei before--or watched The Untamed or MDZS donghua--but wants to hop on the train for the first time.
I think it's important to start by saying that I advise anyone that hasn't already to watch the MDZS donghua (Chinese anime) and/or the live-action series--The Untamed. This is more just so that you have the world and characters set up when coming into the book. I first read the book after having watched The Untamed & read the manhua (Chinese manga) and felt like that helped a lot as far as setting me up. I'd advise the same (or any other adaptation) for anyone.
The book has a rating to 17+ and I'd advise anyone wanting to hop on the MDZS train to check out content warnings b/c this is a content warning heavy work. There's everything from homophobia to ableism to corporal punishment to verbal abuse and the list goes on.
This translation is unique to itself just like the other three translations before it were unique to themselves. I understand why it was necessary to make this one unique to the other three. MXTX is making money from this one and the other three were FREE online--and still are free in some parts of the dark web probably? I congratulate 7 Seas for their hard work and dedication to the fandom and the author to do what they could to make this a success.
The titles in the book didn't really change (ex. Chief Cultivator vs Cultivation Chief...not really a big difference; Yin Tiger Tally was used in Taming Wangxian's translation). Though I don't understand Chinese, I did find this translation--compared to ExR Scanlations (or the most popular, free version that was online that's no longer online...If you want to get into other danmei I advise searching other translations groups or just waiting for the official English translation of works since they seem to be in the coming now...ExR group have really shown their bad sportsmanship/true colors these past few months but you can go to social media to find out more on that gossip)--this translation was clearer and more detailed which I appreciated and was something I was hoping would come out of this translation. I can't give a review on the accuracy of translation since, again, I don't know how to read Simplified Chinese but I’ll assume this is accurate, with one or two errors from the curse of first printings at most--I say this since all books will always have errors. However, exceedingly minor errors and flaws are easily and quickly fixed in any book so I’m not worried. Just note: there will never be an errorless book as much as anyone believes it's errorless; just an attempt at an errorless book.
Anyway, I like that the Seven Seas team chose to keep MXTX's literary devices! Great choice to stick with the !!!!!!, ?!, and AAAAAAHHHHHHHH. These are the things that make us remember Wei Wuxian in that ridiculously silly light.
Few times I thought a sentence could have had a word moved around or added for clarity in English; however, from what I read on social media (DanmeiTWT, Reddit, etc.), some folks that could read the simplified Chinese version of MDZS said that the English translation tried very hard to stick to the original Chinese translation which could be why these sentences read that way. Chinese isn't a Germanic language so it's understandable that not everything might translate over smoothly if it's trying to contain the same meaning (if it can at all as there were times when certain idioms and jokes didn't and were just explained as footnotes--I liked that choice.) Me, the very (very) few awkward lines, I think a word could have been moved/added without changing the meaning but, again, I've never read the original Chinese so I can't say if it would change the context--to move the order of words around. Translation is a tough business so either way, I commend Suika for her hard work--while also working on Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù at the same time--and Pengie for the editing. My buying decision was based on not just the fact that this was one of my fav works by MXTX but also the translator that was chosen for this project--Suika! I loved her translation style of Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù and decided that I needed to buy it and Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù when they came out since she was translating. I don't regret it for a second.
For the most part, other than a scattered very, very few select sentences, I thought it was pretty great, overall! :) I can't wait for the next one and have already pre-ordered it! And I plan on buying a later edition of this exact book. XD
So if you were to ask me...Is it worth the hype? My answer? ABSOLUTELY!!!
I could reread Wangxian all day...and, now, I can and with pictures of WWX's buns!
EXTRA NOTE: Also, Meatbuns Doesn't Meat is getting 2HA published in English (with YUWU in the talks as well) and I'm crossing my fingers it's 7S!!!
(Note: I'm not Chinese and I can't read Chinese so this review is purely based on my reading of the book and prior knowledge of fandoms adaptations & multiple translations + the fact that I myself have a history of translating books (not from Chinese to English but in other languages)).
Now, I will proceed to write a full-length review. So, hold on tight folks because this review has been a long time in the making.
Let's start with the good things since social media is so good at focusing on the negative things:
- The images in the book were stellar!! I finally understood why Lan Wangji was so obsessed with Wei Wuxian's buns. 0.0 There were so many pictures of WWX's buns and it was huge! I was honestly shocked.
- The cover design is beautiful and glossy in the right places, up close.
- The cover texture is sturdy and smooth. I also loved the flaps! I accidentally put a drink on the cover earlier this week and guess what?...no water stain on the book! *applause*
- The typesetting and interior layout is beautiful?! XD I'm paying for a physical book so this was the least I was expecting!
- The extra illustration on the inside by moo is amazing and one of my favorite parts of the book.
- Character Guide was hilarious! Enough said.
- The Glossary and Pronunciation Guide are pretty alright for anyone who's never picked up a danmei before--or watched The Untamed or MDZS donghua--but wants to hop on the train for the first time.
I think it's important to start by saying that I advise anyone that hasn't already to watch the MDZS donghua (Chinese anime) and/or the live-action series--The Untamed. This is more just so that you have the world and characters set up when coming into the book. I first read the book after having watched The Untamed & read the manhua (Chinese manga) and felt like that helped a lot as far as setting me up. I'd advise the same (or any other adaptation) for anyone.
The book has a rating to 17+ and I'd advise anyone wanting to hop on the MDZS train to check out content warnings b/c this is a content warning heavy work. There's everything from homophobia to ableism to corporal punishment to verbal abuse and the list goes on.
This translation is unique to itself just like the other three translations before it were unique to themselves. I understand why it was necessary to make this one unique to the other three. MXTX is making money from this one and the other three were FREE online--and still are free in some parts of the dark web probably? I congratulate 7 Seas for their hard work and dedication to the fandom and the author to do what they could to make this a success.
The titles in the book didn't really change (ex. Chief Cultivator vs Cultivation Chief...not really a big difference; Yin Tiger Tally was used in Taming Wangxian's translation). Though I don't understand Chinese, I did find this translation--compared to ExR Scanlations (or the most popular, free version that was online that's no longer online...If you want to get into other danmei I advise searching other translations groups or just waiting for the official English translation of works since they seem to be in the coming now...ExR group have really shown their bad sportsmanship/true colors these past few months but you can go to social media to find out more on that gossip)--this translation was clearer and more detailed which I appreciated and was something I was hoping would come out of this translation. I can't give a review on the accuracy of translation since, again, I don't know how to read Simplified Chinese but I’ll assume this is accurate, with one or two errors from the curse of first printings at most--I say this since all books will always have errors. However, exceedingly minor errors and flaws are easily and quickly fixed in any book so I’m not worried. Just note: there will never be an errorless book as much as anyone believes it's errorless; just an attempt at an errorless book.
Anyway, I like that the Seven Seas team chose to keep MXTX's literary devices! Great choice to stick with the !!!!!!, ?!, and AAAAAAHHHHHHHH. These are the things that make us remember Wei Wuxian in that ridiculously silly light.
Few times I thought a sentence could have had a word moved around or added for clarity in English; however, from what I read on social media (DanmeiTWT, Reddit, etc.), some folks that could read the simplified Chinese version of MDZS said that the English translation tried very hard to stick to the original Chinese translation which could be why these sentences read that way. Chinese isn't a Germanic language so it's understandable that not everything might translate over smoothly if it's trying to contain the same meaning (if it can at all as there were times when certain idioms and jokes didn't and were just explained as footnotes--I liked that choice.) Me, the very (very) few awkward lines, I think a word could have been moved/added without changing the meaning but, again, I've never read the original Chinese so I can't say if it would change the context--to move the order of words around. Translation is a tough business so either way, I commend Suika for her hard work--while also working on Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù at the same time--and Pengie for the editing. My buying decision was based on not just the fact that this was one of my fav works by MXTX but also the translator that was chosen for this project--Suika! I loved her translation style of Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù and decided that I needed to buy it and Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù when they came out since she was translating. I don't regret it for a second.
For the most part, other than a scattered very, very few select sentences, I thought it was pretty great, overall! :) I can't wait for the next one and have already pre-ordered it! And I plan on buying a later edition of this exact book. XD
So if you were to ask me...Is it worth the hype? My answer? ABSOLUTELY!!!
I could reread Wangxian all day...and, now, I can and with pictures of WWX's buns!
EXTRA NOTE: Also, Meatbuns Doesn't Meat is getting 2HA published in English (with YUWU in the talks as well) and I'm crossing my fingers it's 7S!!!
(Note: I'm not Chinese and I can't read Chinese so this review is purely based on my reading of the book and prior knowledge of fandoms adaptations & multiple translations + the fact that I myself have a history of translating books (not from Chinese to English but in other languages)).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Alcohol
As this book progresses, so do the trigger warnings (ex. dubious consent) so be on the look out. Also, one I wanted to add to the list but couldn’t was corporal punishment & internalized homophobia.
More...