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listette's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
10/10 characters
8/10 plot
I have always the same issue with romance books: they don’t have enough in-depth characters. Everything circles around the main leads. With such length, there can be compelling sub-plots that don’t take away from the main story.
I like how in this story we got, at least, a glimpse to other characters and their complex relationships (Prince Su and Fu Tingxin anyone).
Golden Terrace subverted tropes a little and I enjoyed it immensely. There is often the ridiculous babygirling of adult men in mm romance and I absolutely hate it. Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan’s relationship and characterizations were a bit more in-depth than that. It is nice to read every once in a while how both leads take equally care of each other and embrace their nontoxic masculinity.
A million points for the fade to black sex scenes! Nothing pleases me more than not needing to skim through useless thrusting and groaning.
The ending is really confusing, though. Or there is a part of it Retired Emperor’s edict So confusing and I ponder but I don’t understand their literal meaning.
All in all a great, comforting read with a ton of historical battle tactics and noble men being dicks!
P.S. 10000/10 to the translation! It is a work of art
8/10 plot
I have always the same issue with romance books: they don’t have enough in-depth characters. Everything circles around the main leads. With such length, there can be compelling sub-plots that don’t take away from the main story.
I like how in this story we got, at least, a glimpse to other characters and their complex relationships (Prince Su and Fu Tingxin anyone).
Golden Terrace subverted tropes a little and I enjoyed it immensely. There is often the ridiculous babygirling of adult men in mm romance and I absolutely hate it. Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan’s relationship and characterizations were a bit more in-depth than that. It is nice to read every once in a while how both leads take equally care of each other and embrace their nontoxic masculinity.
A million points for the fade to black sex scenes! Nothing pleases me more than not needing to skim through useless thrusting and groaning.
The ending is really confusing, though. Or there is a part of it
All in all a great, comforting read with a ton of historical battle tactics and noble men being dicks!
P.S. 10000/10 to the translation! It is a work of art
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
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