Lost You Forever

曾许诺-長相思 #4

by Tong Hua

Life is the encounter and separation, is the starting time and oblivion, but there are always things that once happened, will leave traces, and always have a person, once appeared, will not be forgettable.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, China, Love, Fiction, Asian Literature, Genderqueer

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Associated Names:
* Tong Hua
* 桐华
* 桐華
* Đồng Hoa (Vietnamese)
* ถงหัว (Thai)


桐华，原名任海燕子，中国言情小说作家、影视制作人、词作者。中国文坛言情小说“四小天后”之一，被封为“燃情天后”。毕业于北京大学。2005年从中国到达美国，创作第一部小说《步步惊心》在网站连载，2006年正式出版。2011年凭借《步步惊心》改编影视剧名声大噪。 其小说《云中歌》《大漠谣》《最美的时光》等被陆续改编成影视。 2013年，桐华参与策划电视剧《金玉良缘》、 《抓住彩虹的男人》。

Ren Haiyan, known by her pen name Tong Hua or Zhang Xiao San, was born in 1982. She is one of the most famous contemporary romance novelists in China.

She graduated from Peking University and came to America in 2005. She currently lives in New York. In 2013, Hua co-wrote the television series Perfect Couple, which is currently in production.


(来源: 百度百科）
(source: wiki)

Reviews

[Lonleypurplecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is a b*tch. You have been warned. At first, it lures you in with sweet candy, promising cute and sweet and happy. And then from then on proceeds to continuously and calmly stab you in the heart with a candy cane. Playing with your emotions as easily as a butcher cutting meat: with precision and no emotion. Like a little kid playing with his new yoyo. He just doesn't know when to stop. That b*stard.
My thoughts about the shipping and the ending:

I knew a lot of people shipped the Xiao Yao with Xiang Liu, but he wasn't for me. XL was too mean to XY. He didn't appreciate her. Didn't treat her well. I liked Jing the best, and I thought that he was the best suited for her. And till the very end I still think that this is the case. In those circumstances, in that time, he was the best choice for Xiao Yao. However, this does not lessen my heartbreak for XL. To be honest, for most of the novel, I still clung to Jing as my favourite ML. There was one time when he had thoroughly disappointing me (when he fell for someone's scheme and got his evil fiance pregnant), however, it was proven that he stayed true to XY and didn't actually betray her. BUT towards the end of the novel is where I really noticed XL's love and devotion. His love is the type that does not act for the sake of recieving anything in return. In fact, he goes through extra lengths to ensure that XY and other people don't realise that he did anything. He did not do it for the recognition. He simply did it because he loves her and wants her to live, and live happily at that. The epilogue gutted me. The MC and ML got their HE, but I was not happy. XL was selfless in his actions towards XY, however, he chose to remain true to his promise and fight with the rebel army to the very end, despite the hopelessness of the situation. If he had given that up, I believe he would have been able to be with XY. But he couldn't. But that didn't mean that he didn't love and help XY. There was one line that really killed me in the epilogue. When they first met, XY said that she didn't know how to protect herself, didn't have anyone to depend on, and didn't have anywhere to go. And XL thinks to himself:

After several decades of archery, you have the ability to protect yourself; in a desperate situation you no longer need to use your body to shield the person you want to protect. An adoring lover, you already have a person to depend on, you no longer need to be by yourself. The sky and ocean are so large, you have a place to stay and will no longer be chased by people with no place to stay.

Xiao Yao, from today on, I can no longer protect you. You have to take care of yourself well, I wish you an eternity of peace and happiness!

And the killer is that, ultimately, he made all these things possible for her. He personally taught her archery to protect herself, even if he disguised his motives to her. He saved Jing by sending out mer-people to look and rescue him from certain death. He is the reason XY and Jing can reunite to love happily ever after. He have XY his blood so she feels as comfortable in the ocean as she does on land, opening up a world of opportunities for her. He did all this, and it kills me inside that he didn't get his happily ever after. Someone in the comments on Sushengbar said that this really spoiled her worldview, because the belief is that if there are soulmates, then the two will naturally find each other and be together. However, this novel did not do that. When Jing (fake) died, I thought to myself, I will be satisfied if the ending of this novel was similar to the ending of Hamlet: wherein everyone of importance dies. And after real ending, I think I still would have preferred everyone to die, because the character who never made his feelings known, but acted his love out in secret, died, while everyone else still is alive. And that just hurts because he deserved such a better ending. I wasn't a fan of XL in the beginning. To harsh and bullies XY like she's a servant. However, by the time the novel ended, I really wish he was the one she choose to give her heart to. But it could never be. And now I'm depressed.

[lilswtangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Tong Hua book of all-time and that says something because she writes such compelling books. I was torn between this book and Song in the Clouds 《云中歌》 as my favorite, but in the end chose this one because I loved all her characters almost equally and hated to part with it in the end. With 云中歌, I think I was waiting for it to end by the last volume because of all the tears and heartbreak it put me through.

Strangely enough, I didn't love the first book in the series Once Promised. Comparably, it was as much as a tearjerker as Song in the Clouds but something in the characters that made me not love them as the male leads were disappointing as was the female heroine.

The female protagonist, Xiao Yao (aka Xiao Liu), has knocked Yu Er from Ballad of the Desert to #2 on my list of favorite and awesome female protagonists. I didn't think it was possible but it happened. I don't want to spoil the book by listing why she's so awesome despite being jaded and weary by life at the beginning of the book because of her past.

And oh man, the male counterparts here just rock. Whereas Once Promise's male characters were disappointing (one who was way too distrustful and the other who was too cold), the men here were way too fascinating and magnificent to love just one of them.

If any of you were terribly conflicted between choosing between Liu Fu Ling/Meng Jue, Huo Qu Bing/Meng Xi Mo, Qi You/Shao Hao, and 4th Prince/8th Prince from her other books, you haven't seen anything yet. You're in for an incredibly wild ride! I would have had whiplash changing ships back and forth (3 of them!) if I hadn't loved Xiang Liu so much by the end of the last volume.

I was sad at the end because there was just one of her and three of them, but was glad that she had a happy ending with the one she was most suited with, not the one who loved her most because I felt they all loved her equally even if they went about different ways of showing it.

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my actors who’s playing in lost you forever are fine af ✨😍 & played their roles perfectly with flawless acting 🎭🫰🏻 even the actress.

⚔️bae #1 my favorite & at this point I have lost my heart and soul to my killer Xiang Liu, my sliver nine headed demon 🥺👉🏻👈🏻 *I want you to be you* silent protector who’s willing to endure & sacrifice his life for heroine ❤️‍🔥




⚔️bae #2 my Tushan Jing / Ye Shi Qi, your loyalty, love, and tenderness have never waiver 😭🫶🏻 *I want to be with you* devoted bf who’s willing to give up everything and do anything for heroine, even die ❤️‍🔥




⚔️bae #3 Cang Xuan, you already lost me with your selfishness, but I don’t blame you 🥹 *I want you to be with me* unrequited lover who’s willing to do whatever it takes to climb up the social ladder to be in higher position to protect heroine ❤️‍🔥



there is bae #4, but he’s irrelevant 🤡

[Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled for pure luck into this rare gem of heart-gripping romance novel. Since I discovered it, it has become my favourite romance novel, I re-read so many times that I wish I could rated 10 stars. In a magical fantasy setting with gods and demons living for hundreds of years, the story revolves around our female lead, Xiao Yao, who just wants to lead an uneventful and boring life with some companions to her side. This simple dream is interrupted when she meets the three male leads, each of one sets in motion a series of events which will force her to change and pulls her back to her past.

It is amazing how Tong Hua managed to create such three male characters, each with his distinct personality which makes it hard to pick one to cheer on. Xiao Yao, loves in different ways all the male leads and she probably could spend her life with any of them. Don't think that this is a banal triangle or square love relationship, it is Xiao Yao's journey to find someone who can happily share her life with while clashing between dreams and reality. Xiao Yao is a strong heroine with a clear mind and a simple wish: she is scared of loneliness, so she wants a partner or friends who will keep her company forever. At the same time she is really realist and sometimes pessimistic, she doesn't expect anything so she will not be disappointed.
I could talk a lot about all the three male leads, but Xiang Liu soon enough stole my heart and remains the character who, although has the least screen time of the rest, really shines and remains unforgettable.
The author completely grasps the formula "show, don't tell". The most beautifully written moments are the scenes with Xiao Yao and Xiang Liu. Their time is always full of unspoken words, silences worth more than simple words.
Neither of them says aloud what they truly feel and think while the reader is left wondering if they know that they share the same kind of feelings, reading behind the lines not said. He is the one who knows her better and secretly gives her all she needs to become independent. I am quoting one of my favourite moments:
Xiang Liu asks her: "Who do you want most to spend your entire life with?" Xiao Yao opened her mouth to answer but her expression showed her internal struggle as her mind refused to say what her heart felt.
It is painful to see how these two love each other but they are afraid to confess it because their relationship would be doomed.
I would recommend this novel to all people looking for an unforgettable romance with relatable characters whose life become untangled creating such magical travel.

[Pisces · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible spoilers 🥂



Let be honest :
I chose this book because of the good reviews and just how much people were gushing about it saying that this was the probably the best work of the author so far !!

I was really excited to explore the potential that this book promised.
So where did it all go wrong 🍎??

Let's start with :

How the book revolves around this political theme. He wants this but loves that, he does this but is bound with that, he accepts this but cannot accept that, you know what I mean. I just couldn't comprehend with these characters.

It was like a walking nightmare. The book explored all the jabbing, manipulation and responsiblity, bond or just plain politics. Which I am not a big fan of. !!



Sure there were moments that I enjoyed but then something happens and then it starts all over again.

I was shipping XY with J.🎗I found them really cute and he just won me from the beginning. I could never imagine her with other male lead.
There were many who agreed that XL should be the one with XY. But seriously ?



Throughout the book when he was all mushy mushy with XY, I just couldn't get over the fact that this was the guy who beats the living crap out our her in the first few chapters !
*🕊even though he know that she is actually a girl disguise as a guy)

Sure he has his own baggage and promises to fulfill and I do respect the fact that he made something out of our heroine.

But I am just not into guys like him. He just gave her up like a sweet cup of coffee, it's like no matter how much a guy takes care of you or give you the world's most beautiful happiness his priority was already set.
I could go on but I don't want to talk about him 🚦



XY really had my heart. Out of all the characters she was the only one I could connect to.
Her life was like a big tragic movie, she went through so much and that frustrated me to no end because all she wanted an ordinary life instead she just got was dragged into the very life she was running from🌸

Apart from all this
This book was too long for my liking and after 36 I couldn't force myself anymore.



So, I did what a normal person does; skipped all the way the end. 🦋



In the end I could go on and on about the pros and cons but I wouldn't want this review to be as long as the story and I have my dreams to catch on.

Ciao🐖💨

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the novel that the wonderful tv series of the same name with Yang Zi and Tan Jianci is based on. I prefer the tv drama and its fantastic acting, but the novel had its own strengths.

[Sahitya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost You Forever was a drama that I didn’t think I wanted to watch because I had heard it was gonna be very angsty. Also one female lead with four guys seemed like a perfect recipe for heartbreak. But I kept seeing clips and highlights about it all across my socials and couldn’t resist, instantly falling in love with the drama. After almost coming closer towards the end of season 1, I found the completed fan translation of the book and just had to binge read it every second of free time I had, because who knows when the second season will air.

And wow was the book absolutely brilliant. It’s been a while since I’ve read a new cnovel, so it was exciting to dive into it. Also, I like going into these books after watching a bit of the drama, because I like visualizing the actors while reading and it was such a wonderful experience here. The writing and translation were great, with amazing dramatic moments, so much emotion throughout, complicated relationship dynamics, and overall a very heart wrenching story. I didn’t know that there was a prequel book with the previous generation as the main characters and I loved that the translator gave enough background (and sometimes even some important scenes from the prequel), so that we could understand the stakes of the current characters better. It made for an even more meaningful read and I really appreciated getting the little details which aren’t necessarily in the drama adaptation.

But the heart of this book are the characters. The author is clearly very talented at creating an ensemble of characters, every one of whom is impressive and unique in their own ways, making the reader unable to pick our favorites. I obviously went into the book with already my favs in mind coz of the drama and that didn’t change much as the book progressed deeper. I definitely appreciated Xiaoyao much more because all she wants is a simple happy life with the man she loves and she has to suffer so much to get there. Tushan Jing is definitely not in my top 3 but I can totally see how he is the one and only for Xiaoyao. Feng Long is a lot of fun to follow along, so I didn’t actually predict the way his character arc would develop.

Ultimately though, my heart is swayed by the stunningly written characters of Zhuan Xu (Cang Xuan in the drama) and Xiang Lu. They both look cold and keep their feelings buried deep in their hearts, but the lengths to which they’ll go for the sake of their loved ones is beautiful as well as heartbreaking. For the most part of the book, I absolutely adored the relationship between Xiaoyao and Xuan, and how much they were devoted to each other. While I did like Xiang Lu’s character and imagining Tan Jianci playing him in the drama is amazing, I completely fell in love with him towards the latter half of the story, and I can’t wait to see all that angst on screen in season 2 and bawl my eyes out.

On the whole, I really didn’t think this would become a favorite but now I can’t imagine not having experienced this brilliant story. It has an interesting world, very captivating storyline of fighting for your love in various ways, and characters to die for and who are utterly unforgettable. I’m gonna remember this story for a long time to come and let’s see, maybe I will checkout if I can find any other translations of this author’s works.

[driz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the novels written by Tong Hua, I love this novel the most. Kudos to Tong Hua for writing such an amazing novel, making me laugh and cry throughout all the 3 books, making me unable to decide which male lead i would want XiaoYao to be with.
*Spoilers*
I would not say that this book has a happy ending because there are three awesome male leads and that Xiaoyao could only be together with one of them. However, xiaoyao ended being together with the one she loves and the one who is willing to give up everything for her. My heart ached for Xiangliu the most at the end of book 3. The entire epilogue was dedicated to XiangLiu and it really broke my heart. I would say that he is my favourite male lead and the most SELFLESS amongst all of them. He selflessly protects Xiaoyao all the while without wanting to let her know any of the good deeds that he has done.
I strongly recommend this book to everyone esp fans of Tong Hua. This is a series that is worth rereading for many times.
Thank you Tong Hua for this book and i look forward to more of your productions.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Tong Hua writes about love in this book is amazingly deep. Love is not about you, it is doing what is right for the other person, regardless of how you feel, or how much it hurts.

[ZoLo Bold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic love story, that is too fantastic that it would only exist in writer`s mind not anywhere in this world. It`s not only one love story. All 3 ML loved FL in their own way. One united world for her, one wanted to be her life long companion without wanting anything else in the world, one sacrificed himself for her lifetime of worry free happiness.
I am giving 4 stars because i think Xiang Liu was written just for the sake of being tragedy to wring and rip reader`s heart into many pieces. By the end of the book i didn`t understand why he never tried to be with FL instead of battling pointless battle where the final result is obvious. I didn`t understand why resistance army had to battle, when the whole world is united and other emperors willingly gave up their power. Why can`t they give in. I know Xiang Liu couldn`t confess his feelings because he knows Xiao Yao is already in love with Jing, but i think he had a chance when they were in under the ocean for 37 years and when Xiao Yao got her heart broken by Jing. That is plot hole for me. I think it would have been better if we got some kind of Monologue from Xiang Liu. Why he had chosen such tragedy for himself

[Elena Dương · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trường tương tư, câu này có lẽ là dành cho Tương Liễu

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I binged Lost You Forever on Netflix over the weekend and I was intrigued by how the female lead was strong till the end of the season, and the romance is quite 'equally divided' among the three male leads without the quality of the show suffering (usually cdramas are pretty bad at both). I then picked this up because I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is the same author as The Time Never Back, which was such a great character-driven coming-of-age high school story that was really nostalgic.

Koala translated this online and their translation is pretty good. Their commentary also added depth to the story. I started around chapter 30/31 which is where the Netflix drama stops. The story is divided into three volumes. Volume 1 is on Xiaoyao's past, volume 2 is on Cangxuan's rise to power (he's called Zhuan Xu in the novel for some reason), Volume 3 is on Xiaoyao's true heritage and more political machinations. In the novel, it's much more clear who she'll end up with from the beginning. Tbh I liked the actor for Cangxuan but I just can't see him in a romantic relationship with Xiaoyao. They seem better as 'family who chooses each other over everyone else'. Xiang Liu though. Tan Jianci is a fantastic choice.

Anyway, Tong Hua writes well and her stories come off a bit more mature than many other webnovels I've read. The story is a good length and she doesn't drag it out, and I loved the character growth Xiaoyao goes through. It was very rewarding when she acknowledged that her relationship with Tushan Jing was so messed up because she never fought for it. She was so afraid of losing people that it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The three male leads also have consistent characterizations and each undergo their own change and growth. I love character-driven stories and loved this.

So sad about Xiang Liu tbh... 😭

[~MasterDaoistQuqu~]

Ahhhh this is based on Lost You Forever, isn't it?? Xiang Liu I still haven't forgotten about you T^T I wanna read this so baaaaaad, I HAVE to see what kinda masterpiece this must've been since I loved Lost You Forever so so so much <3 especially Xiang Liu (Tan Jianci is even one of my favorite actors so it made it even better)

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book because I wanted to read it before watching the drama, so I could see how they brought all of the characters to life and see what the differences were.

I knew the drama was popular, but I stayed away from reading any summaries and went into the novel knowing almost nothing except that there were multiple love interests. It ended up being so much more than that... even though it's predominantly a love story, there's so much that happens in the story and I was on the edge of my seat multiple times.

The story follows the MC, Xiao Yao, as she first lives incognito in a small mountain village before her true identity is exposed and she assumes her place in the world. It's under her alias Xiao Liu that she meets 3 very different men who will each become an essential part of her world in different ways.

**Warning: Spoilers Ahead**

I know everyone has their own ship when it comes to this story. From the beginning to the end, I was a Jing supporter since he was the only one would be able to give her the stable happiness that she wants and had the easiest path to make her his #1 priority. I was disappointed when he fell for his brother and fiance's tricks and broke Xiao Yao's heart, but I already had a feeling that the child wasn't his (the author made it really obvious that Yi Yang and Hou were having an affair) and eventually the truth came to light. I admit, I had some doubts whether he was still alive when he missed their wedding day and went missing for years and was preparing myself mentally for Xiao Yao to eventually move on, but thank god he came back so they can have their happily ever after.

I have mixed feelings about Xiang Liu. I didn't like him initially because he was so mean to her, but after time and time again he kept doing things for her and kept everything he did a secret, I changed my mind and really appreciated him even though I knew their romance wasn't meant to be. I've never come across any other character who's so selfless in his love and can do so much for the MC and never expect anything back. It blows my mind how much he did for her that she isn't aware of and sweeps the rest under the guise of transactional dealings.

It's only because of him that she and Jing can get together in the end, so I am immensely grateful to him. XL is the one who teaches Xiao Yao how to protect herself through archery, and when she's ready for it, indirectly provides her with the perfect bow crafted of immensely rare materials. He sacrifices his alter identity Fang Feng Bei to prevent Xiao Yao from making one of her biggest mistakes of her life in marrying Feng Long. He sacrifices one of his lives to kill the Lovers Bug in his body and then gives the credit to someone else. And the list goes on. I really want XL to have his own happy ending, and my heart breaks for him that he did all this for the MC and she doesn't have a clue.

As for the third ML, Zhuan Xu, I never considered him a real candidate for Xiao Yao's love. He has other priorities going on and obviously can never give her the status of being the sole woman in his life like she wants. I definitely empathized with him, because the main reason he's gunning to be the ruler of the whole land is so that he can create a safe space for XY to live, but in the process he ironically loses the woman that he's doing it all for. When Jing "dies" near the end, I started re-considering ZX a tiny bit as a potential candidate if Jing really was dead, but then the truth came out around how he supported Hou in his final desperate attempt to take down Jing, and that was the end of that. I can only imagine how devastated Xiao Yao was when she realized the truth that her gege was behind her beloved's death. I swear, Zhuan Xu was such an idiot and must've been out of his mind when he decided to support Hou.

I've never read any other novel by Tong Hua, but she does such a masterful job of weaving a very intricate plot with all the romance and heartbreaking emotions that I definitely want to check out some of her other stories.

[Astrapolaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second fave mandarin novel! This is the first book that made me torn between two of it's male leads. Ussually I already know from the start who is my OTP, but this wonderful books keep made me can't settle my heart. Lol. But I know deep down in my heart, I really root for Xiang Liu. love him so much, how he love xiao yao so sincere and how that they're really can't be together T.T But I'm glad that xiao yao can have her HEA after all her long journey. Waiting for another good books from Tong Hua ♡♥

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this and discover the amazing world of C-novels.
The names are a bit hard at first, though while reading this I finished ”Ballad of the desert” so stuff like confusing characters because of names is something I got over while reading that book. This is my first C-novel (does it count if I haven’t finished it yet since it’s not completely translated?)

[Jenny Meike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hating is easy but forgiving required a stonger vaster heart

[Ms.Caeee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final chapter especially the last 3 paragraphs of the epilogue truly torn my heart apart. I regret reading it! I rather not know his POV than feeling wrecked over it. Hope Tong Hua will write a (happy) story about him, his reincarnation and his HEA. Of the thousands of novels I read, this is the first novel ever that gave me such conflicting emotions over the ending. Normally I either felt happy and satisfied, sad but satisfied or annoyed, but this book... I don’t know.. I’m not unsatisfied or annoyed, I’m just sad, heart wrenching sad, but I’m also happy, i don’t know.. I’m happy that both MC and ML had their HEA, but the ending of this third ML was just too tragic for me to handle. Such a brave, resolute, selfless and lonely character.. No one knows, not even the MC (especially not the MC), of how much he protected, loved and cherished her.. his selfless love and loneliness was just too despairing and heartbreaking. I rather he died bloodily in her arms with her knowing everything rather than he died in such lonely death.. I can’t 🥺🥺🥺 How I hope that Tong Hua will write an additional epilogue that shown XY appreciation towards XL and somehow over the years, she got to know all of the things he did for her.. I’m too sad, and my heart aches for him.. poor XL 😭

Edit: but honestly, how is he the third ML when the title of this novel indicates otherwise?!

[Tina Sy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the development of each characters and how invested and devoted they are to their kingdom and to Xiao Yao. Honestly, all the friendships and loves she's made are truly fated for her. But from a female's perspective (Xiao Yao's), no matter her father, grandfather, brother, lover, whoever looks out for her, protects her, no man cares for her well being and safety better than herself. It's heart wrenching and true that politics/kingdoms come before her. They use her as an excuse in their wars, their sacrifices; however, the destructive nature of a man's war games can be seen so clearly; women collected/thrown/sacrificed in the name of peace. And all Xiao Yao wants is to live a peaceful quiet life.

Of all the fan discussions, I earnestly agree, the beginning storyline of her peaceful life living in the hidden gender of a man, among humans and animals, was truly the most tranquil and happiest of scenes. It's when the men came in search of her and found her, her quiet human life was gone. Then she was forced back to the realm of the gods and every chapter after that were both heartfelt and crushing.

This story has so many twists and complicated emotions. Truly the most remarkably written story of the year.

[Rose_☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful, so poetic, so heart wrenching. It has humor, wits, romance, angst, it has it all. Tong Hua's books never fails to leave you a lingering feeling of sadness, despair, and longing.

This novel revolves around our main female character, Xiao Yao and the three men in her life. There are three volumes to this novel and each volume describes each of the three men.

This novel is very female centric so we see everything from our female character's point of view. We follow her on a long journey expanding over hundreds of years. She is smart, witty, assertive, but also very aloof and carries alot of insecurities. She doesn't trust anyone and only puts her trust in herself. Each of these men will test her trust and love whether they earn it or lose it solet depends on their actions/words.

One thing I love about this novel is that it compares Xiao Yao to her mother (main female character in Once Promised) a lot and how different they are when it comes to decision making and how practical they are when it comes to love.

I would recommend and would definitely reread again.

[Amabelle Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a well-written heart-wrenching story. The direct translation of the title is actually 'long yearning' I felt that the ultimate 'long yearning' is between xiao yao and xiang liu

This tragic is 1 lvl up 'Ballad of the Desert'

" You and I are travellers who have crossed paths in this windy world. Whenever we meet, we are each other's companions to enjoy the world all! Why do you care what I think deep down inside?"

The voodoo king said, "The doves don't fly alone in the sky, the pair of mandarin ducks die together in the water, If I die then how can you live?"

Why don't you ask the questions in reverse - If I die then how can you live?

"If only I was the one who saved you from the slave arena, I will only let you be Fang Feng Bei."

Xiao Yao placed one hand on her heart and slowly extended the other placing it on Fang Feng Bei's heart. She said, "Our hearts are beating as one." She raised her head to look at Fang Feng Bei waiting for an explanation. Fang Feng Bei placed his hand around hers. He smiled, "Yes, it sure seems like it's really beating together."

[Sunny Butterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only 51 chapters plus an epilogue. It’s worth reading once. Have tissues close by to wipe the tears. Because, It has more gut wrenching tragedy than novels several times longer. The chapters are longer than normal. So, this is similar to a 100 chapter web novel.

The characters are detailed. The main characters are gods in a love square that lasts hundreds of years from childhood to the end of the novel. Secondary characters are plentiful and interesting. They help carry the background in the storyline.

The storyline is multi-generational and multi-kingdom where the parent’s secrets and tragedies are woven into the lives of the main and secondary characters. This is a palace drama where dominance, kingdom expansion and survival are well described. This has sweet moments and good dialogue. But, the heavy tragedy feels excessive. It does not give time to see the main character react and adjust before she has the next low point. She starts to feel cursed.

[Asma-E-Safa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only the world I know had a Tu Shan Jing... Alas it takes one to know one like him. I am glad he found his peace.
Some fictional characters have the power to transcend dimensions. Jing is one such character for me. I am so glad to have met him. Here is to broken hearts and healing and happy endings (a toast to you love). Thank you Jing for simply being you till the last words.
(I guess a thanks is also in due for the author here, but sometimes in a story a character has more right to adulations than the hand that penned him/her... It's a writers thing that only writers would understand)

Ps: I love all the characters in the book as the story in itself is absolutely phenomenal!! But Jing's comforting existence just so fills my heart to the brim and over that I loose my good sense to praise someone else.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an epic story!
I started reading this book after the drama was aired and what a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Admittedly, I feel like my reading experience was fabulous because I did love the drama so much, the characters all delivered their performances of their respective roles so well. I love all the characters; everyone has layers and feel so real. I root for Jing to end up with Xiao Yao but Zhuan Xu and especially Xiang Liu both have special places in my heart. Especially Xiang Lu. He can be toxic but my heart aches that only that bird guy knows about all he does for Xiao Yao and Jing so they get their happy ever after. All in all, a very great story to lost yourself in.

[May Swe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe I finished this book in three days. Actually since I already watched season 1 of this book. I skipped lots of chapters in between. There is almost no change between the adaptation and the book.
The Ending; is kinda what I’ve expected but still something that I did not wish for. Since we all have preferences and opinions, some people(or most) will perceive this as a happy ending. But, sadly, not for me.
I bawled my eyes out during the epilogue. I was still holding on until the last chapter but the epilogue took me out.
I know that this ending is the most realistic, beautiful and the best for all the characters. But, i wish the book has a couple more chapters and a different ending. What can I do..I just loved Xiang Liu and Zuan Xu more than Xiao Yao.

[Ege Zeybek · Rating 1 out of 5]

Xiang liuyu görür görmez aşık oldum onunla o kadar çok birbirimize benziyoruz ki sanki onunla aynı kaderi yaşıyorum .Birini ne kadar çok sevsenizde eğer sonunun nasıl olacağını biliyorsanız bencil olmadan ve ona kalbini açmadan ne kadar çok sevildiğini ve onun başkasıyla mutlu olarak görmeyi dünyanın en acı ve en mutlu anıdır😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🥱😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Ve barış bende seni sonsuza kadar kaybettim

[Likhitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

read the online version translated by ockoala (god bless her). tbh this is my second time reading it after leaving it unfinished in 2015 bc i realized this is a bit of a tragedy. however i grew to appreciate the genre in the past few years, and love the intricate characterization and world-building by tong hua

[Radish · Rating 5 out of 5]

这是我第一次看的长篇小说，觉得官配的感情线描述得不够多...很喜欢官配，小夭和璟是互相救赎，她最爱的也是涂山璟！
可惜作者没什么描述涂山璟的个人成长，感觉他只是一个推动故事情节的工具人😢
里面的男角色各有各的魅力，他们就好像活生生的人一样有优点也有自己的缺点。挺现实的一部小说，里面没什么所谓的主角光环吧，都是男女主角靠自己争取他们想要的。
我是看了电视剧才追的小说，电视剧跟小说有些不一样但第一季来说觉得还行，希望第二季不会改太多！
建议很难看进小说的人可以去看看电视剧再去看小说，有演员的脸是比较容易带入的，毕竟演员们的演技挺不错的👍🏻我觉得他们演出来和书里的人物很贴切

[Betsie Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opening line. 'That day was the same as the last thousand days before it.'
To begin my review, I would like to include some of my favorite quotes from Lost You Forever, because there are some gems, and then everyone will get a glimpse of the haunting beauty this story occasionally possesses.

“A cold and hard heart can keep out the pain, but also keeps out the joy.”

'Shi Qi’s eyes were clear with a hint of a smile, remaining calm and peaceful as if he was above the fray, as if he was one with the mountains and streams and wind and flowers.'

“I would rather remain this way. Knowing what tomorrow will bring, but not knowing what next year will bring. Not too exciting, not too boring.”

'She was as exquisite as the morning dew on a peach blossom petal.'

'Actually, it didn’t matter what the present was, it mattered what the giver meant. If someone was in the heart, then that person would naturally want to share everyday things with the other, so even a wildflower or a rock could be a present.'

'He said nothing, and Xiao Yao didn’t speak either. The two of them, one on the ship, and the other on the water, they listened together to the song of the merpeople. The song spread out on the water’s surface, melodic and pure, touching deep into the soul like a passionate entreaty in darkness, like a longing sigh that shatters the heart, it made the soul rise and fall with the song.'

“Xiao Yao, I know you haven’t forgotten Jing, but I can wait, I am willing to wait until your emotional wounds have healed, until you are willing to marry me. I won’t ask that you forget Jing, I just want you to give a part of your heart to me. I just want a little bit, a tiny little portion, so that we can spend the remaining days of our lives together.”

And my favorite of all, one that is quoted in the drama version as well, and it ranks among my favorite quotes in any fictional book, I think. It is between Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao, one of the many times they almost, but not quite admit their feelings for one another.

“Why is it so hard to find a companion?” (Said by Xiao Yao)
“It’s not that hard. Yet it’s indeed hard to find someone with similar tastes, who treats you sincerely and makes your life interesting.” (Said by Xiang Liu)

I do not usually read or review fantasy books, but this one is rather unique, so I wanted to write about it. I watched the Chinese television adaptation of Lost You Forever first, and then I had the rare opportunity to read the original novel, an experience I greatly enjoyed. However, all that being said, I cannot recommend the book. While organizing my thoughts for this review, I realized Lost You Forever does have many of the qualities of an epic story: morally conflicted characters, a tragic love story, a power struggle, and the contrast between sacrificial love and selfish love. Unfortunately, the author has created a story world saturated with magic, where God is non-existent, so although I can see the story's potential, the worldview is unacceptable from a Christian's perspective.
For a book that falls into the category of 'high fantasy', Lost You Forever has a surprising lack of worldbuilding, and of clear geography, or explanation for character's actions. A lot of times the reader is dumped right into a scene without an understanding of the setting, or the 'why' of what is going on. There aren't very many internal monologues, which is fine, but the characters just blurt out thoughts in their head in the middle of a conversation, and the reader finds out a motivation that should have been teased out over the course of the story, instead of it being awkwardly inserted all of a sudden.
I obviously read a translated version of Lost You Forever, as I can recognize possibly two Chinese characters but no more!
Things are always lost in translation, especially with a language like Mandarin, as there are many words and concepts that have no direct equivalents in English, nevertheless, even with 51 chapters Lost You Forever still has characters doing things without there being a clear progression to understand why they do those things. That is the author's fault.
Characters: This is where Tong Hua rises above the rest. She can create memorable characters. I disagree with her modus operandi partially because she uses emotional dysfunction to trap the reader into becoming invested, but that is common in modern Chinese literature.
Cast of characters: Xiao Yao AKA Wen Xiao Liu--the heroine and main character of Lost You Forever.
Zhuan Xu--the childhood friend of the heroine, and eventually the emperor of the kingdom.
Tu Shan Jing--the main love interest.
Xiang Liu--the leader of the resistance army fighting Zhuan Xu.
If I were to pick the most memorable character in the TV adaptation, it would be Xiang Liu, while in the book it would be either Zhuan Xu or Xiao Yao. In the book Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao have by far the best chemistry, but the acting in the adaptation makes the story come alive in a way the book doesn't achieve.
One last thought-- some of the genre labels on this book are inaccurate, and misleading, so pay no heed to them.

[Hannah Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr fragile heart 💔 I understood all of Xiang Liu's decisions but I still cannot accept them also, I know that Jing is good but, the raw love and devotion is not it compared to nine lives 😢 this novel is written so beautifully and I really wish there was an English physical copy