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A review by gwenolabarr
Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Meng Xi Shi
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thousand Autumns by Meng Xi Shi blends historical intrigue, character-driven storytelling, and philosophical debate, with a realistic romance woven through its heart. The series stands out for its exploration of power dynamics, the ideological clash between Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, and how personal growth can reshape a person’s worldview. For me, Yan Wushi is the true star of this story, and his character development (and lack of character development) is what makes this series truly shine.
Yo, Danmei readers, I heard you liked Political and Ideological Discourse
Set in a time when the three major schools of thought were vying for influence, Meng Xi Shi’s world feels deeply grounded in historical reality (to the best of my limited historical and political knowledge of China). What I find truly fascinating in this series is how the demonic sects, often seen as outcasts or villains, could be read as political and ideological revolutionists. In a world dominated by rigid ideologies, the demonic sects challenge the status quo, offering a rebellious counterpoint to the dominant systems of belief.
The clash between these philosophies isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it plays out in battles for power, influence, and survival. Yan Wushi, being a key figure in the demonic sects, represents this dissent, while Shen Qiao’s journey from a Daoist idealist to someone who questions the structures around him is a parallel arc. Seeing the different sects not only as warring factions but as representatives of ideological battles makes the political intrigue all the more compelling, adding layers of meaning to every alliance, betrayal, and conflict.
A Pot Stirrer of the Century Award goes to: Yan Wushi
Yan Wushi is, hands down, the best character in the series. He’s the quintessential sh*t stirrer, delighting in chaos, mischief, and testing everyone around him. His cunning, manipulation, and wit make him both unpredictable and exciting, and his unapologetic confidence sets him apart. He has no problem stirring the pot, but what makes him truly remarkable is how, over the series, he starts to change (marginally).
At the start, Yan Wushi is ruthless and indifferent to the beliefs and emotions of others. He views the world as a battlefield, thriving on his own sense of superiority. But as the story progresses, and as he’s finally accepted by Shen Qiao in a way that no one else ever has, we see his whims soften. It’s this gradual shift that makes his character development so rich. Yet, even as he changes, Yan Wushi never loses that devil-may-care attitude, always retaining his love for stirring up trouble. He’s the perfect mix of complexity, chaos, and vulnerability, making him the ultimate anti-hero.
The Melancholy of Shen Qiao Sect Leader
I have to admit, to me, Shen Qiao was infuriating for a large part of the story. In the beginning, he’s essentially a blank piece of paper—naïve, passive, and almost too kind for his own good. His isolation as a sect leader left him unprepared for the real world, and watching him struggle was often frustrating. The open and less than subtle way the story begins with him crashing to reality, with his sight and other senses dulled, we're forced to see him as a fawn (IYKYK) wet behind his ears needing to navigate the big bad world. Symbolism has no place here because it's too blatant for that. However, the beauty of his character arc lies in how exposure to the world and his interactions with Yan Wushi force him to evolve. Like a beautiful butterfly, he realises that ignorance is blind not bliss.
Through the trials and betrayals, Shen Qiao begins to shed his chrysalis... I mean his passive nature and starts to truly engage with the world around him. His shift from blind idealism to a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of power and morality is gratifying. I respect how his character grows not because of any grand epiphany, but through the slow, often painful process of learning (or unlearning) from experience. This is much more realistic to how people shift their political, religious, and ideological beliefs in reality.
Let's talk about those extras...
As much as I loved the main storyline, the extras felt unnecessarily long and dragged the pacing toward the end. While they offer some additional insight into the characters and their future, I found myself feeling that they stretched the story beyond its natural conclusion. That being said, I can see how the extras tie might tie into Peerless, and bridge the gap between the two series. However, I think the main arc stands strong on its own and didn’t need quite so much extra content.
It's me, hi, I'm the problem it's me: Plot Predictability
Despite the fact that I could predict about 80-85% of the major plot points (sometimes even how they would unfold) the political intrigue and the reasoning behind character actions still made the series a joy to read. The machinations, the ideological battles, and the shifting allegiances kept me hooked. Even when I could see what was coming, the execution was so well done that it didn’t detract from the tension or the emotional stakes. The underlying rationale behind each plot twist and betrayal was solid, which made the story feel cohesive and purposeful even when the surprises weren’t necessarily shocking. Additionally, the predictability meant there were no wildly out-of-character moments as there often (enjoyably) is in danmei or light novels. I found this refreshing and frustrating in tandem.
Conclusion: Your Honour this is a Reluctant 4.5 Star Read due to Shen Qiao and the Extras
Thousand Autumns is an engaging and richly detailed story of power, philosophy, and personal growth. While the political intrigue, historical backdrop, and ideological clashes are fascinating in their own right, the true heart of the novel is the dynamic between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao. Yan Wushi’s evolution from a chaotic force of nature to someone softened by acceptance is a joy to witness, and even as he changes, he remains delightfully irreverent. Shen Qiao’s frustratingly slow but ultimately rewarding journey toward a more open and experienced worldview also shines.
Though the extras could have been trimmed, and much of the plot was predictable at least to me, the depth of character development and the philosophical undertones kept me engaged throughout. It’s a story that’s as much about the transformation of its characters as it is about the shifting landscape of political power, and for that, it’s a win in my book.
Yo, Danmei readers, I heard you liked Political and Ideological Discourse
Set in a time when the three major schools of thought were vying for influence, Meng Xi Shi’s world feels deeply grounded in historical reality (to the best of my limited historical and political knowledge of China). What I find truly fascinating in this series is how the demonic sects, often seen as outcasts or villains, could be read as political and ideological revolutionists. In a world dominated by rigid ideologies, the demonic sects challenge the status quo, offering a rebellious counterpoint to the dominant systems of belief.
The clash between these philosophies isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it plays out in battles for power, influence, and survival. Yan Wushi, being a key figure in the demonic sects, represents this dissent, while Shen Qiao’s journey from a Daoist idealist to someone who questions the structures around him is a parallel arc. Seeing the different sects not only as warring factions but as representatives of ideological battles makes the political intrigue all the more compelling, adding layers of meaning to every alliance, betrayal, and conflict.
A Pot Stirrer of the Century Award goes to: Yan Wushi
Yan Wushi is, hands down, the best character in the series. He’s the quintessential sh*t stirrer, delighting in chaos, mischief, and testing everyone around him. His cunning, manipulation, and wit make him both unpredictable and exciting, and his unapologetic confidence sets him apart. He has no problem stirring the pot, but what makes him truly remarkable is how, over the series, he starts to change (marginally).
At the start, Yan Wushi is ruthless and indifferent to the beliefs and emotions of others. He views the world as a battlefield, thriving on his own sense of superiority. But as the story progresses, and as he’s finally accepted by Shen Qiao in a way that no one else ever has, we see his whims soften. It’s this gradual shift that makes his character development so rich. Yet, even as he changes, Yan Wushi never loses that devil-may-care attitude, always retaining his love for stirring up trouble. He’s the perfect mix of complexity, chaos, and vulnerability, making him the ultimate anti-hero.
The Melancholy of Shen Qiao Sect Leader
I have to admit, to me, Shen Qiao was infuriating for a large part of the story. In the beginning, he’s essentially a blank piece of paper—naïve, passive, and almost too kind for his own good. His isolation as a sect leader left him unprepared for the real world, and watching him struggle was often frustrating. The open and less than subtle way the story begins with him crashing to reality, with his sight and other senses dulled, we're forced to see him as a fawn (IYKYK) wet behind his ears needing to navigate the big bad world. Symbolism has no place here because it's too blatant for that. However, the beauty of his character arc lies in how exposure to the world and his interactions with Yan Wushi force him to evolve. Like a beautiful butterfly, he realises that ignorance is blind not bliss.
Through the trials and betrayals, Shen Qiao begins to shed his chrysalis... I mean his passive nature and starts to truly engage with the world around him. His shift from blind idealism to a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of power and morality is gratifying. I respect how his character grows not because of any grand epiphany, but through the slow, often painful process of learning (or unlearning) from experience. This is much more realistic to how people shift their political, religious, and ideological beliefs in reality.
Let's talk about those extras...
As much as I loved the main storyline, the extras felt unnecessarily long and dragged the pacing toward the end. While they offer some additional insight into the characters and their future, I found myself feeling that they stretched the story beyond its natural conclusion. That being said, I can see how the extras tie might tie into Peerless, and bridge the gap between the two series. However, I think the main arc stands strong on its own and didn’t need quite so much extra content.
It's me, hi, I'm the problem it's me: Plot Predictability
Despite the fact that I could predict about 80-85% of the major plot points (sometimes even how they would unfold) the political intrigue and the reasoning behind character actions still made the series a joy to read. The machinations, the ideological battles, and the shifting allegiances kept me hooked. Even when I could see what was coming, the execution was so well done that it didn’t detract from the tension or the emotional stakes. The underlying rationale behind each plot twist and betrayal was solid, which made the story feel cohesive and purposeful even when the surprises weren’t necessarily shocking. Additionally, the predictability meant there were no wildly out-of-character moments as there often (enjoyably) is in danmei or light novels. I found this refreshing and frustrating in tandem.
Conclusion: Your Honour this is a Reluctant 4.5 Star Read due to Shen Qiao and the Extras
Thousand Autumns is an engaging and richly detailed story of power, philosophy, and personal growth. While the political intrigue, historical backdrop, and ideological clashes are fascinating in their own right, the true heart of the novel is the dynamic between Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao. Yan Wushi’s evolution from a chaotic force of nature to someone softened by acceptance is a joy to witness, and even as he changes, he remains delightfully irreverent. Shen Qiao’s frustratingly slow but ultimately rewarding journey toward a more open and experienced worldview also shines.
Though the extras could have been trimmed, and much of the plot was predictable at least to me, the depth of character development and the philosophical undertones kept me engaged throughout. It’s a story that’s as much about the transformation of its characters as it is about the shifting landscape of political power, and for that, it’s a win in my book.