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bluebari's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Outing, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
j_isconfused's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
veronikav's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
I would love to go back in time and bring a copy of this book, except rewritten in traditional Chinese to some lovely neoconfucian scholar and watch them like one would a Victorian child given popping candy.
I was fascinated with how many references to classical literature there were in this book. To be clear I assumed this book, having been published as a web novel, would be the equivalent of a particularly good Wattpad story - a Wattpad story nonetheless. The amount of literary references quite shocked me (with the most strange one being two love poems by Mao being quoted - when the plot takes place in fantasy ancient China). I struggled to keep up with the plot a bit because there was a lot of political scheming and euphemisms - just like Wu Xi I found myself wishing they'd be more honest and say things clearly. I preferred this novel to Tian Ya Ke by far, it seemed more well-paced and maybe it's because I didn't have a good drama adaptation to contrast it with. The characters are each well fleshed out, the plot is complicated but intriguing and the romantic plot is just very cute. The main couple is great together, Wu Xi is an amazing romantic lead. Somehow it doesn't feel creepy despite the... age difference? Can we still call it an age difference when it comes to reincarnation? Hm...
The most shocking thing in the novel is when you find out about the familial ties between Helian Yi and Jing Beiyuan. I was very shocked at that, didn't expect it, also I'm not entirely sure I understand the previous life - did Helian Yi kill Jing Beiyuan for being his half brother or was there an extra reason beyond the weird incest?
Anyways I really enjoyed this book, laughed a lot, couldn't bring myself to stop reading at times. Definitely recommend reading this first and then getting to Tian Ya Ke.
I was fascinated with how many references to classical literature there were in this book. To be clear I assumed this book, having been published as a web novel, would be the equivalent of a particularly good Wattpad story - a Wattpad story nonetheless. The amount of literary references quite shocked me (with the most strange one being two love poems by Mao being quoted - when the plot takes place in fantasy ancient China). I struggled to keep up with the plot a bit because there was a lot of political scheming and euphemisms - just like Wu Xi I found myself wishing they'd be more honest and say things clearly. I preferred this novel to Tian Ya Ke by far, it seemed more well-paced and maybe it's because I didn't have a good drama adaptation to contrast it with. The characters are each well fleshed out, the plot is complicated but intriguing and the romantic plot is just very cute. The main couple is great together, Wu Xi is an amazing romantic lead. Somehow it doesn't feel creepy despite the... age difference? Can we still call it an age difference when it comes to reincarnation? Hm...
The most shocking thing in the novel is when
Anyways I really enjoyed this book, laughed a lot, couldn't bring myself to stop reading at times. Definitely recommend reading this first and then getting to Tian Ya Ke.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual content
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