Wonderful. Perfect. My personal gateway into the world of danmei and webnovels. THE romance of the century. Lan Wangji is the pinnacle of one of... more>> my ideal character types and Wei Wuxian is so funny, strong, and brilliant. If I forgot the plot of this novel I would be forgetting part of my soul so there's no point in describing it for future me to remember. There's not a single thing I would change about this novel and despite all the fanbase drama due to the different adaptations, thinking about wangxian feels like coming home. 10/10 <<less

My second favorite mxtx novel and the perfect example of the transmigration trope done well. So freaking funny and brilliant! The plot is engaging and... more>> the characters are all wonderful and complex, as usual. I really need to finish rereading the proper translation because the MTL cannot, of course, come close to a real human translation. I love Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe so much they seriously own my heart. It's also a much quicker read than most other novels I've read which is definitely nice. Bonus points for a canon side pairing too. 8/10 <<less

An exquisite story of neverending heavenly love somewhat tainted by the fanbase for me. I love Hua Cheng and Xie Lian and LOVE all the... more>> wishful side pairings in this, but mdzs and tgcf fanbases somewhat compete against each other and so naturally I will always side with mdzs. I do think for the most part the arc of every book and the pacing is masterfully done and really show's mxtx's growth as an author in that way, so definite kudos for that. 7/10 <<less

Human turned demon searches for the demon king to make him turn back human with the help of a handsome stranger, who is in fact... more>> the demon king himself. Overall, there were tons of things I LOVED about this novel - Song Ci's growth is very endearing and I especially adored Rong Bai's character. Additionally, there were two or three canon side pairings that got happy-ish endings which were very enjoyable and much appreciated!! The language was easy to follow for a fantasy novel and the translation was excellent as well - I'm forever grateful jade rabbit decided to continue even though an MTL exists. However, I will say I finished the story rather confused and unsatisfied with the conclusion - simply put, it felt rushed, and I'm still not clear on some of the details as to Song Ci traveling back and forth in time and how he became a demon. I didn't read the extras because of the disappointing ending, but once I get over that I'm sure I'll enjoy them all the same as the novel really is for the most part great! 6.5/10 <<less

Main character in love with the big boss of a video game enters said video game (not completely, however, as he goes back and forth... more>> between the two) and plays the game from the inside as well as finding true love with the big boss. It was a fine read - it didn't particularly age well in my memory and I didn't particularly enjoy the ending, though that may have been because I believe I procrastinated finishing it for quite a while and the initial excitement faded. I liked both the MC and ML but I think the side characters left a lot to be desired. Also, what was up with the story veering into the science fiction genre at the end? I didn't need an explanation as to how the ML was conscious and I wasn't expecting one, plus the explanation wasn't exactly a welcome surprise. At the end of the day, video game romances are simply not my genre and never will be. The translation was very clean, however, and there were still plenty of cute and satisfying moments throughout! 5/10 <<less

Ugh I miss reading this one! High school supernatural romance in which the MC becomes bestowed with the power to see and communicate with ghosts,... more>> of which he is of course terrified, and the only way to alleviate this ability is to stay in contact with his handsome but endlessly teasing roommate and classmate who is overflowing with yang energy (who, naturally, just thinks MC is flirting with him)! Just the premise is adorable, but the way the author writes is so endearing and the development of the MC and ML's relationship in its awkward, sideways way is incredibly funny and cute to watch unfold. I really loved both the main character and his love interest - the love interest, in particular, was a refreshing divergence from many of the usual gong tropes. He was endlessly caring and forgiving even when MC was forced to act confusing and strange because of the secret between them, and even when he found out long after they'd gotten together that MC originally only stuck to him out of necessity he understood and accepted it, instead of getting angry and forcing tired drama. There's also a side pairing of the ML and MC's friends I believe, but it's really not addressed that deeply so I don't have much of an opinion on them. Overall an absolutely splendid read that I would definitely consider revisiting someday! 9/10 <<less

Getting this one out of the way - transmigration novel in which the MC is betrayed and ends up in a hidden little town. ML... more>> is the guardian of the town in some respects. I really hate this novel - it left me feeling deeply unsettled and unsatisfied. I read it in one sitting because it's quite short, but I wish I'd given it up or never started it at all. The ML and his amorality and willingness to kill anyone and everyone was an obvious issue for me, but the MC's feelings towards him in that he... basically only stayed with him in the end because ML would definitely take care of him made me feel as though he didn't even really love him? Their dynamic simply genuinely disturbed me and I don't like thinking about this novel or any of its characters. Could not recommend less. 1/10 <<less

Freaking adorable read and a totally manageable length to boot! MC and ML keep getting caught in promiscuous positions and romantic appearing situations but become... more>> friends regardless and then, of course, fall in love. I don't remember if this is set in college or high school but either way, a hilarious and sweet school life novel! I liked the main characters and the side characters plenty and I definitely want to reread this soon! 8/10 <<less

Another manageable novel in terms of length. MC (slightly homophobic gong) and ML match on a dating app despite the fact that they dislike each... more>> other in real life - MC's profile is however fake due to it being made as a joke by one of his friends (I think) and so he catfishes ML, only to fall in love with him. The catfishing and initial h*mophobia elements of this story might bother some, but I still think this novel is worth giving a shot! I think both the main characters are very enjoyable and obviously MC suffers quite a bit for hurting ML in the way he did, so I think the ending is fair, even though something about ML's coldness towards MC during their reconciliation made me a little uncomfortable. Still, I'd reread this someday as it really was cute! 7/10 <<less

I laughed, I cried, I felt everything in between! This seemingly simplistic school life romance features Qiao Shao, a wealthy kid who just wants to... more>> go to a normal school and study as hard as he can to achieve on his own merits, and He Shen, a seemingly lackadaisical good for nothing who is in actuality the top student at their school. The plot follows their relationship from seatmates, to friends, to lovers. However, both characters in actuality are dealing with much more than their surface struggles and have suffered immensely in their lives - I won't say how, but both their backstories are real tearjerkers. Obviously, this novel isn't perfect in its depiction of mental illness and how people can recover from trauma, and their respective recoveries are rather idealistic, but I still appreciate so much how the author honestly showed their gradual recoveries and the ups and downs of the process. Especially when it came to Qiao Shao, who actually did have a therapist and whose treatment processes were similar to my own in some ways. The importance of family was very strong in this novel both in terms of blood and found, adding extra dimension to both characters. And the romance was tooth-rotting sweetness - I can't count how many times I squealed and smiled over the main pair! The side characters were all decent and supportive as well, though my main focus was definitely always on He Shen and Qiao Shao. This novel has everything - sweet and tender romance, angst, comedy, tragedy, and a perfectly happy ending to boot! I thoroughly enjoyed this one! 8/10 <<less

Far in the future, when the world has evolved to monsters and humankind is on the brink of extinction, a little mushroom takes on human... more>> form in order to find the spore that was stolen from him by a human. I was trepidatious to pursue this one for a while because the translation is edited MTL and I despise MTL, but pushed through because it is completed, easy enough to read, and the book is so highly recommended by the danmei community. I don't like science fiction either, but this one blew me away. An Zhe (MC) is just as achingly sweet and endearing as the summary makes him out to be - he never fails to make your heart clench or your eyes well with tears. I thought Lu Feng (ML) was one type of character but he turned out to have a whole other kind of depth and interest to him that I really ended up falling in love with. The side characters aren't notable, probably because most of them die at one point or another, but the main couple are so strong and deeply, effusively in love throughout the entire story that it doesn't matter. They are such a great throughline that I hate to part with now. I'm not going to comment on the rest of the plot much - though what I caught of it I enjoyed - due to MTL being misleading and inaccurate at the best of times, but I can say with bittersweet certainty that the romance aspect is wonderful. Not quite as dark or depressing as people made it out to be, either - though towards the end it gets very stressful and upsetting (HE! HE! HE! I promise!!). I pray someday that someone will retranslate this novel properly so I can read it again and fully comprehend just how good it is. 8/10 <<less

Pretty emotional this one is finally completed! As much as was lost on me on my first read-through (I will definitely be rereading this someday) I could still parse together enough to tell what a sweeping and overwhelming story is contained in one little book! Cang Ji and Jing Lin are two of the most delightful characters I've ever had the pleasure of encountering with a romantic dynamic that, frankly, is hard to top for me. It's a beautifully written, beautifully translated masterpiece that I highly recommend for anyone who loves extraordinary detail and complexity in their webnovels (and doesn't mind some absolutely excruciating angst to get to the just as painfully sweet ending)! 8/10... more>> style="line-height: 40px;"> Previous Reading List review: Absolutely the most confusing f*cking novel I've ever read but it also doesn't matter because JING LIN and CANG JI <3 the translation is almost over and I'm thoroughly excited to read the ending and see them get their much deserved happiness. I can't even begin to explain the plot so I'm not even going to try, but I will say Cang Ji being a brocade carp fish for the first few chapters shouldn't dissuade anyone from reading this because it's not a very big deal I swear! The plot is excruciatingly delicate and so much is going on at once at any given time, but it doesn't matter that I'm fuzzy on the majority of the details because jilin are an amazing pairing and amazing characters in their own right who I adore! <<less

Holy moly! Read this one in like three or four days! I really couldn't put it down! It's such a fantastic story with great characters and a lot of good humor/fluff plus just a nice sprinkling of angst to really put it over the edge. I don't have anything bad to say about this one lmao I couldn't recommend it more!... more>>

Original comments from Reading list: Saw this one recently updated with a new completed translation of solid quality so I immediately hopped on that! Currently blazing my way through it and completely enjoying myself. The MC is a dragon whose body was torn apart and stolen and so he has to travel about with the assistance of the ML, an incredibly powerful monk with amnesia whose presence seems to accelerate the MC's healing progress somehow, as they solve a variety of little mysteries alongside their own! I love, love, LOVE traveling stories like this (MDZS, QianQiu, etc) so obviously, the plot itself is a huge bonus, but the characters are also immense fun. The MC is an arrogant brat who can't resist teasing the ML, who is ultra-stoic and aloof, and overall the entire dynamic is so pleasing to me I can't even describe it. I love the slowburn aspect of the relationship as well, though so far it hasn't been executed the best in comparison to some other webnovels I've read (little bit hot and cold as opposed to a nice easy rise in temperature, if you get what I mean). There's an array of side characters I wasn't expecting to encounter, but they're all quite good too and their presence doesn't feel unnecessary or invasive in the slightest! I'll reserve final judgment for after I've finished the story, naturally, because I'm just under halfway through it at this point and my opinion could be subject to change in an instant; but for now, I highly recommend this novel nevertheless (especially considering the translation is finally complete <3). 9/10 <<less

Put this one on hold for MONTHS when it was revealed that the couple is reversible because I was a little taken aback lol, but for some reason couldn't stop thinking about it recently and so actually finished it in a single night! And I'm really glad I did, because despite the aforementioned reason AND not being a fan of established couples either, this novel is simply stellar. The translation is great quality, which is really beneficial as there's a heavy emphasis on political intrigue and history in this particular novel (yay for me!). The writing is absolutely superb and the two main characters are so well fleshed-out with such a sugar sweet relationship that... more>> it makes my heart sing! I think because the plot is so tight and fast-paced it really allows for the couple to be established and settled early on; they become a reliable and relaxing part of the plot rather than what is essentially driving it. That's another great thing about YanFu's relationship: hardly any miscommunication issues! One misunderstanding drove them apart for seven years, but once it's cleared away they're allowed the full and complete space to be in love and be a happily married couple. Seriously, this book is amazing both romance and plot-wise - just very intelligent and thoughtfully mapped out overall. Because of the reversible couple and the emphasis on plot over romance it doesn't ? feel exactly like a danmei novel, per se ? which is not to draw a divide between Good Non-Danmei Literature and Bad Danmei Literature, but it just has a very different vibe. 

In the end that last note is superfluous though. It's a really, really good historical romance that I highly recommend for everyone who can't get enough of political jargon and appreciates a good "manly gay couple" haha! 9/10

Previous reading notes: Currently on hold because I don't usually read switching relationships, but that reason is rather petty so I definitely need to get back to this! Political drama wherein enemies (born from a somewhat mild misunderstanding from years prior to the start of the novel) are forced to marry! I love both the main characters so much and the plot is really quite easy to follow and enjoy. The translation is also excellent! <<less

Mmm... this one way just okay I think? Please take everything I say here with a grain of salt as the translation quality left something to be desired (though I will say it was very tidy and consistent, so major kudos to this first-time translator for that). Basically, the MC is a disciple/warrior of a (maybe the only?) 'holy' sect and is sent to infiltrate a (again, the only?) demonic sect via seduction of our ML, the sect leader. It's a very simple premise, clearly; I'm actually impressed the author managed to get 82 whole chapters out of it, though they were quite short. Definitely this novel is a comedy, comedy, comedy, so a lot... more>> of it, at least the first half, is pretty much just written for the purpose of having the MC drop cheesy one-liners that annoy/fluster the ML in amusing ways. And that's fine! What I could understand/translated well into English was funny! But I don't think such an exclusive emphasis on comedy benefited any other aspects of the novel. You're not going to find an epic love story here, nor are you going to find an epic adventure or mystery story. The characters are pretty one-dimensional, despite the fact that I enjoyed those single dimensions well enough, and the romance between them... well, it's basically nonexistent. What does exist feels almost unnecessary. And the random plot tacked on at the end was pretty much entirely pointless too? Because again, so much of the novel was dedicated to making the reader laugh that I didn't have enough time to get invested in the world, the characters, or any upcoming plot. 

It's a cute read, don't get me wrong, and it goes really fast despite being almost 100 chapters long because all the chapters are super short. If you want a quick, lighthearted comedy to pass a couple hours with and aren't one for much romance, this will definitely be for you! 3/10 <<less

Uh just putting this here because I basically did finish it. Original thoughts from my Dropped list still apply! 2/10... more>>

Dropped list comments: This one was just okay. I enjoyed the sweet slice-of-life sections but the drama of the ML's previous relationship was deeply upsetting to me for some reason and I hated the way the MC handled it. Completely ruined them getting together for me. Also again it lowkey upsets me when it's a pairing of two gongs and one is 'forced' to settle - not that the MC in this was particularly forced or anything but still. IDK it's a weird preference for me I just don't like it as a trope very much. Anyway I read till they got together so happy for them and their future! <<less

(Copied from original review) MC (Jing Beiyuan/Jing Qi) lives six lifetimes in various forms loving/attempting to support the crown prince of his country in his journey to the throne but is killed by said crown prince in all of them; this story follows his seventh lifetime, second in his original human body, as he supports the crown prince with no more love in his heart and instead (very slowly) falls for the ML (Wu Xi), a hostage from the country of Nanjiang he cares for. This is the first novel by priest I've finally (finally!!) read in its entirety, mostly because A. it's pretty short and manageable, length-wise, for a webnovel and B. it's historical... more>> and political with transmigration elements, so f*ck yeah I'm gonna read it LOL. There's a lot to unpack in this novel, but I'll start off by saying I really, really liked it; it was well-written (and well translated, bless you chichi!!) and the corruption of the court and bitter reality that faced each character every day was so raw and honest. It wasn't necessarily a fun political drama, because a lot of people suffered, none more so than our dear main characters, but it all tied together and made sense really intelligently. The side characters were fleshed out very well (the trio of hated Helian princes was especially interesting to me - such excellent depictions of archetypal characters) and I really rooted for Jing Qi and Wu Xi. They deserved the happy ending they got so much! So overall, it's a really strong novel in terms of plot and writing, which is why I highly recommend it if you're okay with lots of political/historical terminology, angst, and moral ambiguity.

That being said, this is also a novel by priest, and so there were always going to be some things about it that I didn't /love/. Priest tends to have a few trends when it comes to her romances, specifically, that I'm just not a huge fan of. Three are demonstrated here: One-sidedness, age differences, and both characters in the pairing preferring to top (aka they're both naturally inclined gongs). Before I get into my complaints about these tropes, I just want to make clear that I really did like Jing Qi and Wu Xi as characters a lot. They had an amazing dynamic, what with Jing Qi being so jaded and having to do so many untoward tasks for the sake of Helian Yi (aforementioned crown prince) and Wu Xi being so upfront, honest, and genuine till the very end. They really suited each other and belonged together (especially considering Wu Xi's backstory which I won't spoil here). I knew they were going to end up together, I wanted them to be together, and I cannot describe the happiness I felt when they did end up together! XiYuan, XiYuan, XiYuan! But, simultaneously, all three of those tropes were present, and they each make me feel uncomfortable to varying degrees. Wu Xi was definitely the only one pining and when they got together, it felt more like Jing Qi was giving in to his whims as a jaded old man who couldn't refuse such a genuine person rather than an active participant in the relationship (the extra chapters eased my concerns about this aspect a little though). By his seventh incarnation, Jing Qi is mentally very, very old and again, completely over the idea of love, while Wu Xi (according to the conscious memory he possesses) is literally as youthful and optimistic as you can get, which actually left me feeling a little uncomfortable. I don't normally mind age differences (self-proclaimed vampire f*cker here) as long as they are made clear not to be a very big deal, but in Lord Seventh Jing Qi's old age is emphasized time and time again and it just didn't sit right with me. Finally, the two-gongs-but-they-aren't-reversible trope. I don't get it!! I don't! And beyond that I have an issue with the way priest treats bottoming/being an 'enthusiastic' or 'stereotypical' shou, but I won't get into that off-topic tangent here. Suffice it to say that I'd either the pairing have set roles they both enjoy and prefer or they are comfortably and canonically reversible. If one of the characters had some kind of awakening or realized they actually preferred bottoming through the relationship then that would also be totally fine, but it makes me uncomfortable when there's an overarching theme of 'settling' or even force within the relationship. That's a matter of personal preference, but it does affect my enjoyment of every priest novel I read so *shrugs*.

At the end of the day, the romance wasn't a core aspect of the book, and you can simply tell! I would've loved to see what could have been done with ~30-40 more chapters in terms of really developing Jing Qi's feelings for Wu Xi and showing their relationship actually blossom beyond the tragedy and hardship of their circumstances, but I'm not very pressed about the issue! Again, I really thought it was well-written, technically speaking, and the plot was jointly excruciating and intelligently crafted. The characters and story were compelling and I genuinely enjoyed the ups as much as the lows hurt. I do recommend - just not for the romance, particularly! 6.5/10 <<less

I... am actually sobbing LOL this is by far one of the best webnovels I've been lucky enough to read so far. As someone who has doubted priest's writing and the hype she receives ever since I got into danmei and webnovels in general I was absolutely blown away and then some. The plot, the romance, the characters, the writing - everything is just beyond perfect. I don't even know where to start going into specifics because there's so much that I could talk about and emphasize the skill, thought, and talent behind. Briefly put, my previous summary of the plot is below so I won't go into it again, but I will say it... more>> is so much more than just a romance. Each of the mysteries are absolutely excellent on their own, but the way they link together is what makes them truly great. I'm 110% certain I only understood about 75% of the overarching plot due to my own shortcomings, but that's plenty enough to say with certainty that it was masterfully executed and deeply intelligent. I definitely felt what most avid priest fans say about her work - that every character has their reasons for doing what they do and, try as hard as you might, you can't not understand them in some ways (except perhaps when it comes to Fei Du's father; he comes close to being one of my most hated characters ever, I think). Which, speaking of characters, I seriously am going to miss the gang from this novel so much. I can't get into Luo Wenzhou or Fei Du right now without bursting into tears again, but let me just say they are so well-written and executed. Their motivations and personal trauma and the overwhelming love they have for one another is so apparent from their very first introductions and only gain traction and clarity as the story unfolds. Few danmei couples fit as well as or are as healthy as they are. Fei Du needs someone who can offer him unwavering warmth and comfort and support, someone to look after him properly as he never was looked after before, and Luo Wenzhou is I think the only man who can really do that. And he wants to so very badly. It was easy to grow protective of Fei Du because of everything he went through in his earlier years of life and watching Luo Wenzhou care for him with such exquisite, tender love evoked feelings of motherly comfort, which sounds dramatic but it's true! Their dynamic of a brusque, well-adjusted detective and an arrogant fuerdai with a horrific past and hidden dark depths to his personality was just... there's nothing like it. And the rivals to lovers aspect in the first arc! I mean, come on! Coming off of Lord Seventh, whose romance was almost the biggest downfall of the novel for me, ZhouDu felt like a once-in-a-lifetime epic whirlwind that swept me off my feet just as Luo Wenzhou and Fei Du swept each other off theirs! But the main characters and their romance weren't the only attraction here; the side character detectives and even the recurring characters from outside the force were just wonderful. Tao Ran was a sweet breath of fresh air, Lang Qiao was funny and smart and had such an excellent refreshing dynamic with Luo Wenzhou, and Xiao Haiyang... oh, he's one of my favorite side characters in danmei ever. I can't get over his character arc or his backstory, they both ripped tears from me on multiple occasions. He was such a great and unexpected addition to the original squad of four characters (ZhouDu, Tao Ran, and Lan Qiao). But I also found smaller characters such as Zhou Huaijin and Lu Jia to be deeply entertaining and engaging, and beyond that, characters who only stuck around for one mystery arc such as Zhou Huaixin were often just as fascinating and fleshed out as the recurring cast. And characters like Gu Zhao, too, who died before the beginning of the book! Everyone was just so interesting and the reveal of all their places in the complicated, convoluted, utterly messed up and tragic plot was an unforgettable ride I'm so glad I got the chance to go on!

Also, shout out to the translator. Getting to read this in an epub format, with such good grammar and attention to spelling and choice of language, without having to wait for chapter-by-chapter updates made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. Especially considering that the reason I put off reading this novel for so many months after starting it like somewhere around last August was because of the poor/slow translation I was settling for back then. I can't thank this new translator enough! 10/10

Prior thoughts: Police officer x trust fund kid who are initially vying for the attention of another (heterosexual) police officer but eventually their feelings turn towards one another. I'll be the first to admit this isn't very high up on my continue reading list for the sole reason of Luo Wenzhou being a police officer, and also the first to admit that I genuinely believe Priest is overhyped (or maybe her books simply don't translate well - either way, I don't like them very much). However, this is still my favorite Priest work so far by a long shot, so I still intend on finishing it someday, especially now that a completed translation is finally out. I love Fei Du and Luo Wenzhou so much and the side characters are also fantastic, plus the mysteries are great (though I'm not feeling book 3 as much), so I still recommend giving it a try! <<less

Tentatively putting this here while keeping it in my reading list due to the fact that I've now finished the edited MTL version of this. Therefore all my thoughts should be taken with several grains of salt. Simply put, I loved this novel and it remains one of my favorites. Do I necessarily recommend it? No, especially not considering the proper translation is still ongoing. Do I think it was a perfect novel by any means? Also no. Meatbun clearly had a ton of ideas going into this work and wrangled probably over a dozen plots actually fairly well, which is deeply commendable and I genuinely think she did a good job at managing them.... more>> All my thoughts below still apply - I love Chu Wanning and I love Mo Ran, and I love so many side characters, and above all, I love RanWan. Their happiness is my happiness, plainly put.

At the same time, this is a novel driven by angst and tragedy *not* for the faint of heart. I finished reading the MTL just today so I'm definitely biased thanks to the residual feelings of stress and hurt in me still, but seriously. *Spoiler warning* both the main characters die (multiple times, if you count Taxian-Jun's initial death) and what's more, RanWan's ending isn't perfectly happy. I was prepared for the...difference in Mo Ran, but it still made me uncomfortable and I'm still coming to terms with it even after reading Meatbun's explanation. I get it, but at the same time, I can so easily how the situation might make both CWN and MR unhappy and I just cannot make peace with that yet - not after everything they went through. And so many amazing side characters suffer horribly or straight up die! Nangong Si and Xue Meng's parents brought me to genuine tears, and the impact of their deaths on the people who loved them was not downplayed in the slightest. Simultaneously, the plot was so convoluted and, dare I say, unexpected in the midst of all the tragedy that I didn't even have time to properly focus on it because I was too busy crying my eyes out!

Obviously this is tagged tragedy and Meatbun is an author renowned for her plentiful usage of emotional 'knives' so, yes, perhaps I should have expected all of this. But it was a really hard read! Especially when her characters are so compelling and endearing and work so hard it's just! It's hard to see them suffer so horrendously while making a thousand arguments in your head about why they shouldn't have to go through any pain ever.

I really, really like this book and I'm obviously going to stick with the proper translation until it comes to a close (only settled for MTL after over a year of holding out because of the drama coming out soon). But at the same time...goddammit Meatbun! 9/10

Reading list notes: My favorite currently reading webnovel that needs no introduction. Chu Wanning is one of my all time favorite characters! The translation is excellent, if a little slow (totally understandable, of course), and I love Meatbun and her style of writing even if it's a little wacky or questionable sometimes. The angst is unbelievable and incredibly bittersweet - knives, knives, knives! I also think, narratively speaking so far, Meatbun has done an incredible job of punishing and then redeeming Mo Ran - he's nothing like either of his former selves and has instead grown into a character I genuinely cherish and adore, something I didn't think was possible even though I've always liked him. I hate Shi Mei more than anything, but I love Xue Meng and so many other side characters - they're all so fun! Warnings for all kinds of violence and pain, but if you Can read this then you should!! <<less

*bursts into tears* I love this novel so much. I don't even know why I loved it so much I just do. It's definitely up right alongside Mo Du as my favorite priest novel. From a technical standpoint, Mo Du is better, but from a personal standpoint I think ZJLY might be my actual favorite... I've already gone into a lot (a LOT) of pondering about the novel and its plot and characters below so I won't get into it so much here, but I will emphasize again how important it is to understand that this novel functions first and foremost, and therefore best, as a character study of Su Qing. It's about him, his... more>> life, his ups and downs, his flaws and skills as a character. The plot, the romance, everything to do with that is secondary, and once you realize that, the entire book makes so much more sense and is so much more enjoyable. Dare I say even liking Su Qing or not shouldn't really factor into your enjoyment as well...because what he is, likable or not, is a whole character whose actions and feelings do make sense, whether or not you agree with them or they please you. He's that skillfully illustrated. It's worth sticking with the confusion of the first 30-40ish chapters just to watch his growth, I think.

Also, um, OW?? Priest is literally evil for that open-ended extra with Chang Dou and Fang Xiu. I don't think I'll ever stop wondering about how they end up T_T 9/10

Copied from Reading list: At the moment of writing this I am *checks progress* forty chapters in and honestly? Having the time of my life so far. MC is a wastrel accidentally pulled into a very odd organizations experiments with granting humans the ability to absorb the emotions of others, which affects people differently depending on whether they are turned into gray seals (MC's type) or the coveted blue seals who possess special superhuman abilities. ML is an upstanding member of a government unit dedicated to taking down this organization and it's actually a one-night stand with him that lands MC into the mess in the first place. Even just typing this vague summary it sounds and feels like a mess, and it kind of is one! But I think that's part of the charm. There are an insane amount of twists and turns and I have no idea what's coming next, which keeps me interested and reading even though I never delve into the sci-fi genre as a rule of thumb. The sparsity of the romance between Su Qing and Hu Bugui also draws me in because there's a constant feeling of !! when are they gonna fall in love !! Su Qing is also kind of hilarious in how useless he is in the beginning, but he's already gotten so much stronger and more reliable not even halfway through the book under believable circumstances so I really like him! I feel bad for Hu Bugui too... he makes so many mistakes and is so clumsy with his care but you can tell he has a really good heart... I really want them to start working together soon!!

This is a bit of a sidebar, but I think there's something about this book that makes it feel almost like a bit of a workshop for Mo Du? The characters are pretty different and obviously so is the setting, and yet: 1. The MLs of both books are working for the righteous side with a gang of lovable side characters and the MCs of both books are somewhat morally ambiguous (chaotic good, if you will) as well as being pretty deeply involved with the organizations they're fighting against; 2. There are organizations in both books entrenched in the midst of society that use and exploit vulnerable people and need to be destroyed; 3. There's a very definite sense of 'investigation' about both stories, they're both mysteries, even though Mo Du's mysteries are much more set; And finally, 4. The dynamic of ML Who's Desperate To Care x MC Who Doesn't Want To Be Cared For is very much present in both stories. I don't know. They're both good, Mo Du is better, and I'm enjoying this one a lot!

EDIT: 84 chapters in, desperately wish I had a hundred more chapters to go before finishing but sadly I only have 19... T__T it honestly at this point is rivalling Mo Du's place as my favorite priest novel, and that's because I had the realization (belatedly, I admit) that the point of the book really is Su Qing pretty much exclusively. The summary initially didn't make sense to me because I thought it was missing out on so many of the sci-fi details and the romance, but that's because the book is basically a character study of Su Qing - the rest of the story is literally just backstory for his growth and development as a character, and once you realize that it just elevates the reading experience to an eleven. That being said, I still think it shares a lot of characteristics with Mo Du and I still think the way Mo Du balances plot *and* character development is better from a technical standpoint. But god, is this book enjoyable as hell to me. And I've thoroughly enjoyed Su Qing and Hui Bugui's romance and relationship development, I think it feels super genuine and realistic while still being sweet, and while the typical priest pattern of 'shou tentatively falls for gong after gong reveals their feelings' is definitely present, it's not as grating or anxiety-inducing for me. I think this can be traced back to how understandable Su Qing's personality is, and the fact that even if some of his traits don't make sense to the reader, you know that he possesses them regardless and so his actions still make sense. Additionally, priest takes care to throw in a paragraph or two really dwelling on the sweetness and safety Hui Bugui does bring to Su Qing's life and Su Qing's acknowledgment of that, which makes their relationship feel more equal unlike in some of their other work (*cough* lord seventh *cough*). <<less

Really thoroughly enjoyed this one! The two main characters were very unique and well-rounded and their dynamic wasn't one easily found in most danmei, so it was exciting to see their romance unfold in a nontypical way. The plot was also pretty good (slightly hard to follow with the translation), sort of akin to lord seventh in how it revolved around the age-old question of just Who will ascend the throne. I thought the resolution was very satisfying and not too idealistic because Yu She and Zhong Wan would both be giving up probably about a decade of their lives to teach Xuan Yu how to be a good ruler, but at the same time... more>> they would be together and be able to retire in safety and comfort, so I liked it very much! All the below notes still apply - this was a very enjoyable and relatively simple historical webnovel that would suit a lot of people's tastes! 7.5/10

Copied from reading list: This novel is so fun... it's so so fun... it has pretty much everything I like in a novel; comedy, angst, historical setting, enemies to lovers (basically). MC is the self-assigned protector of a potential heir to the throne and in order to make his way up in life he spreads rumors of the romantic relationship between he and ML, who he lived with for a time after his family originally fell into ruin. What he doesn't really expect is that ML has experienced a mental break and become a somewhat suicidal yandere type since they parted, which leads to all sorts of misunderstandings and odd encounters once MC returns to the capital.

Yes, the plot definitely sounds all over the place, and it's hard to really put down in a single sentence. But the key here is that this novel is a political romance! It's about MC (Zhong Wan) protecting essentially his siblings from the wrath of the emperor while trying to figure out what the hell is going on with ML (Yu She), and it's so, so good. The side characters supporting MC and ML like Lin Si and Steward Feng are incredibly funny and fun to watch, and both the protagonists are extremely clear-cut and focused characters. Their dynamic has so many ups and downs in the best way and I'm always looking forward to their next interaction (and so far I haven't been disappointed yet!). The slowburn so far feels really well executed, which I think is high praise considering it's probably the hardest trope to do well in accordance with my personal preference. It's strengthened, I think, by the intermittent flashbacks that only take up anywhere from half a chapter to maybe two, at the most, so space is added that allows for both the current plot and romance to ensue at a reasonable pace without that added space feeling dead or detrimental to the story. I'm only 30 chapters in, but I can't put this one down so I'm sure I'll be finishing it up pretty soon! <<less

Sequel to Zhongji Lanyin featuring Kou Tong (scientist) and Huang Jinchen (ex-sniper) and their exploits during the incidence of a technological malfunction wherein they get trapped in a sort of psychological dimension with a host of other characters. More than assessing whether I /liked/ this one or not, I think it's truer to say it was simply a very good book. The two main characters are both equally hilarious and equally damaged, connected by a thin string of similar childhood circumstances that leads to them very quickly falling in love in the oddest of situations. They had a very interesting and unique dynamic (with priest's trademark "two gongs" trope) and despite the fact that they... more>> probably got together within a fortnight, because that's just about how much time the book covers nothing, felt forced or rushed. It really was just a very passionate and irresistible attraction, particularly for Huang Jinchen, that they both succumbed to naturally! The side characters were also fully fleshed out to a heartbreaking degree, in priest's usual fashion, and while some of their fates were undeserved and hard to stomach, they all felt truthful and made a point. It's a very tight little book; nothing you'll read in it doesn't have a purpose or point towards the subject priest is trying to address through the story and characters and I think it's done very well, even if it really makes you cry (which I did. a lot)! Also, the extras finally gave a sweeter resolution to Chang Dou and Fang Xiu's story, which made me so happy I really couldn't take it! It was really fun to see them as well as GuiQing from Zhongji Lanyin pop up here and there, because I really do love the first book in this series so much!

As for my personal opinion...I don't know! It was a really good book, it really was, but I guess for me personally it just wasn't necessarily my thing. It was very scientifically heavy, not even necessarily in a sci-fi way, but certainly in a jargon and high level thinking way that I wasn't too keen on since science has never been my subject. And in terms of romance, it wasn't a very "romantic" book. The point is very much not to make your heart clench and sing with how devoted the main couple is - the point is to discuss regret and choice and death and life and the meaning of all of these things, and how we as people can survive and get over each of these phenomenons in turn especially with the help of someone who loves you without regret or doubt because of your past choices/mistakes. Which, obviously, was beautifully done because priest is a beautiful and talented writer! But coming away from it I feel more of a sense of philosophical melancholy than satisfaction, which paints it in a different light than a lot of the other books on this list. Which isn't a bad thing! I mean, I could also just say "Well on a personal level I didn't vibe with the characters or their romance enough to make them my life's purpose so I'm not going to hype this book to that extent", but that would feel a little bit disrespectful since this book is about so much more than that. 

If you read Zhongji Lanyin and you're looking for a short, poignant story that grapples with tough subjects in lovely and thoughtful prose, I definitely recommend this book! But if you want something lighter or more comedic (even though there were a handful of times I could hardly catch a breath from laughing in this one, actually) I wouldn't say this one is for you! 7.5/10 <<less

I f*cking love this novel so much. Was crying over the last chapter because it was so bittersweet to say goodbye to Scarf CP T__T Looking at my past comments is such a riot because...there's just so many plot twists that I didn't expect in the slightest! This book feels very chunky and full with about six different plotlines at various points throughout the book (transmigration, sci-fi survival show with seven wildly different themed matches, evil genetic modifying organization, traveling into the subconscious - twice, with different settings both times, amnesia...and probably more that I've already forgotten) but honestly? The author does a pretty damn good job of handling the reins on all the content they... more>> packed into this body of work. I never really found myself feeling that confused or lost, even after coming back to this webnovel a little over halfway through after maybe a three month break. And I wasn't not confused because I made myself a glossary or paid super close attention or anything like that; basically, this novel is so f*cking crazy at any given point that it's very easy to think to yourself "oh, okay! guess that's how it is!" even if you've missed something and accept it as a part of the world. 

So, the plot is crazy fun and wild and literally has something to appeal to everyone. But the characters are equally strong, if not more so. Scarf CP have such an amazing relationship that never ever gets tiresome or trope-y - it's very much a play on the very standard and old-fashioned dynamic of Meek, Helpless Shou x Ultra Domineering, Overpowered Gong, but without any of the toxicity or nonsensicalness of the original dynamic. Wei Shi has very concrete and important reasons for why he's so cold and dominating, which are actually addressed as a vital plot throughout the course of the survival show breaks between elimination matches. He never, ever disrespects or pushes Wu Jin beyond what he's comfortable with, except in teasing ways when it's very much reciprocated - and again, he's so domineering because there's a literal lock on his emotions. For a good portion of the novel he really can't express his affection differently because of his past. And more importantly than anything, Wu Jin genuinely gets that. He looks up to and admires Wei Shi from the moment they meet and his affection only grows in the most tremendous ways through their every encounter. He loves him so much - they both love each other so much! And Wu Jin in his own right is such an incredibly fun and sweet and inspiring character. He works so hard to rise through the ranks and absolutely becomes overpowered himself, both with the help of his beloved and through his own prowess. His weak to strong arc is one of the most exciting and fulfilling I've ever encountered and I'm definitely gonna miss reading it!

Btw, the side characters are also all so fun with strong, individual personalities and characteristics that make them really exciting to read about. Seeing them all interact with one another and bump up against each other through the course of the survival game is really something to look forward to! Overall, I don't really have a single thing bad to say about this novel. It's a crazy exciting ride that I'd recommend to anyone who's looking for a good laugh and an exciting romance! 9/10

Past comments: MC is a young idol-hopeful who accidentally travels thousands of years in the future and ends up on a battle-style survival show instead of the idol group maker show he was expecting! He starts off very weak, but is beautiful enough to enthrall everyone he meets and has the brains to quickly begin to learn how to be strong - particularly helpful when the ML is a s*upidly overpowered secret contestant who essentially falls for him and his bunny-like appearance at first sight. This novel is such a sweet break from my usual wuxia/xianxia filled endeavors, but don't make the mistake of thinking it's necessarily uncomplicated! Lots of gun talk, lots of the MC using that cute brain of his to figure out the hidden rules of the game as well as excel at fighting! The side characters are really fun and likable. The romance is a little slow, but since the novel is long that's preferable for me - their dynamic (which consists pretty much of the ML viewing MC as his healing bunny and, because of reasons, the only person he can form a true emotional attachment to, and MC 'just wanting to be a good subordinate') is so sweet it gives me a toothache! A fun and funny read for sure. <<less

Very sweet collection of three short stories by the same author of Glory! I enjoyed all of them, though the last one made me feel... more>> a bit uncomfortable (assault isn’t acceptable even if the people are mutually in love and ESPECIALLY if one of them is inebriated, sorry). However, the first two are certainly a nice way to pass a few minutes if you’re in the mood for lighthearted romance! 7/10 <<less

Finishing this one is a little bit emotional as reading the weekly chapter updates has been the first thing I do every Monday morning for the better part of the past year T___T I truly, genuinely enjoyed this book; I think it would be easily dismissed as self-indulgent p*rn by most (and there's certainly plenty of that here, don't get me wrong) but I still believe at the same time that it has a lot more to offer than just that! I started reading it sort of as a joke with myself, but as I continued keeping up with it I found myself genuinely growing attached to the characters and their romance. There's unexpected rises... more>> and falls in their relationship and Wu Xingzi and Guan Shanjin both surpass expectations again and again, doing things I wouldn't have expected but love to see! Wu Xingzi especially has unexpected strength of character when it counts the most, which makes him very likable. He's not just some undeserving drip (*cough* like Lu Zezhi *cough*). He's really a good and dependable person! He and Guan Shanjin's love starts out odd at best, but it grows and deepens over time until no adversity can harm it. 

It's not the best book, and it's certainly not for the eyes of anyone under the age of eighteen. It has unrealistic moments and again, very, very self-indulgent at times. But I still enjoyed it quite a bit and I would recommend it for anyone who is comfortable with explicit content and is looking for a relationship-focused historical webnovel to pass a few afternoons with! 7.5/10

Past comments: SMUT ALERT!! Absolutely unsuitable for anyone under 18's eyes. The main character, planning to kill himself once he reaches age 40, signs up for what is essentially ancient Chinese Grindr to get some d*ck before he dies, only to be noticed by the ML for his similarity to the person ML is in love with. Romance (???) ensues from there! Yes, the premise of this novel is somewhat outlandish, and yes, smut is prevalent throughout this work, but the plot is to me what really counts! Wu Xingzi and Guan Shanjin are both lovable and incredibly frustrating characters!! I just want them to get together already, they deserve happiness!!! There's also an excellent side pairing whose dynamic is simply delectable and I can't wait to see their story unfold. <<less