onthesamepage's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I thought this volume would focus more on the relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, but it's actually pretty plot-heavy. I was really invested in the story, however, and ended up not minding so much. There are still a lot of characters, and I don't think I'm grasping some of the connections, but it's not so bad that it's detracting from my overall enjoyment.

Plus that entire scene with Lan Wangji drunk was chef's kiss.

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aelin_morgenstern's review

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adventurous 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? Yes

4.25


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bookcheshirecat's review

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

5.0

“Who was right, who was wrong, was there more gratitude or more grievance - is that something an outsider can determine?” 

I'm loving this series so much and we got some great scenes in this book! Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan end up in Yi City and encounter the juniors of the Lan Clan and Jin Ling who have been struggling with some strange occurrences. I loved that group dynamic, especially as Wei Wuxian dotes on them and seems to have a big soft spot for children. That was so sweet to see! Lan Jingyi (who's more outspoken and honest) and Lan Sizuhui (who is kind and mature) are two great characters and I loved their banter with Jin Ling. All the characters are just so lovable and stand out to me! Jin Ling especially is an interesting character, as he grew up an orphan, but was spoiled out of pity by his caretakers. Now he's arrogant and quick to anger, but still doesn't seem to be all bad. There are so many layers to the story, such as Wei Wuxian's guilt over how he was involved in his parents' deaths.

I was surprised by how much I got invested in the secondary characters of this Arc! There's a long flashback scene about A-Qing, a young beggar girl who pretends to be blind because she was born with unnatural white eyes. Her paths cross with Xiao Xingchen, a famous travelling cultivator with a tragic past we learned about in the last book. He's actually blind and takes her under his wing. However, when a mysterious, sinister man turns up, things take a turn for the worst. I liked A-Qing, as she's brash and outspoken, but also street-smart from spending so much time on her own. She doesn't like this newcomer but has no idea how to get rid of him. The tension that was building was so good and everything tied into the main story as well!

There were some other highlights such as the infamous Drunk Forehead Ribbon Scene! I love the balance between tragic, heartbreaking moments and hilarious scenes where Wei Wuxian does something outrageous again. The dynamic between Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan is just SO good, I get why everyone is obsessed about them. The pining, the miscommunication and the opposites attract dynamic are just top-tier! While everyone is quick to demonize Wei Wuxian, Lan Zhan protects him and stands by his side, which becomes even clearer by the end of the book!

“Only in the presence of your fated person, in the presence of the one your heart belongs to, can you allow yourself to be free of restraint.” 

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moonlitreading_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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itsnotalakeitsanocean's review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I definitely enjoyed this volume a lot more than the last because this is where the ball really gets rolling to me. Also I think the bulk of what I remember from MDZS as a whole came from this volume and a few things from the start of the next volume (which I started reading immediately after finishing this one). This book also has one of my favourite illustrations of the entire series of
Nie Mingjue kicking Jin Guanyao down the stairs. There's just something about how beautifully it's illustrated that gets me every time.


Some of my complaints are still the same as last time, however. Particularly in the case of one party that was properly introduced in this volume felt like they suddenly appeared in the story, which I think could have been alleviated with a list of the all the clans and their leaders. 

Also a lot of the female characters end up getting the short end of the stick, which is an ongoing problem in this and some of MXTX's other works. And I also thought it was kind of comical that, as a paper doll, Wei Wuxian had plenty of time to experience Nie Mingjue's entire backstory when it was established if he didn't return to his body within a set amount of time there would be consequences.

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youraveragewarlock's review

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adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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debthebookworm's review

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm still in love with this series. There was no doubt that I would be, but I'm enjoying getting more into the mystery and watching it unfold. I especially love the story with the juniors, A-Qing, and Xiao Xingchen, heartbreaking though it may be. Someone once said that storyline is Shakespearean, and it is!

I can't get enough of WangXian, and seeing just how much more dense Wei Wuxian is to Lan Wangji's affections in the book than he was in the TV show, it's hilarious. I was talking to the book!

I can foresee by the cliffhanger and where this book stops that we're going to start book 3 with one of my favorite moments from the boys' teen years (I'm almost sure), and I'm ready! What a masterpiece!

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chrisljm's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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malecbanewood89's review

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adventurous funny 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? No

4.0


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paradicsomleves's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

3.75


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