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The Defectives #1
The Defectives Vol. 1
Knowledge is more precious than gold.
And endless curiousity is more precious than knowledge.
But more precious than even curiosity is the starry sky above us.
And endless curiousity is more precious than knowledge.
But more precious than even curiosity is the starry sky above us.
430 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2025
7 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 24, 2025
A fast-paced, sci-fi danmei that reads like a mecha anime.
It feels like the beginning of an epic interstellar adventure with many mysteries and secrets to uncover with some sci-fi horror thrown in.
The world building was fantastic and the story was fun and so unpredictable.
Priest's imagination really went "out there" in this story and is full blown weird at times 😅. Characters are named like One Piece characters.
Still, this was so much more than I thought. If you're a fan of action and dystopian sci-fi with hints of optimism and comedy in a bleak world, this might be for you.
It feels like the beginning of an epic interstellar adventure with many mysteries and secrets to uncover with some sci-fi horror thrown in.
The world building was fantastic and the story was fun and so unpredictable.
Priest's imagination really went "out there" in this story and is full blown weird at times 😅. Characters are named like One Piece characters.
Still, this was so much more than I thought. If you're a fan of action and dystopian sci-fi with hints of optimism and comedy in a bleak world, this might be for you.
November 3, 2025
"Since storms will always come, rather than being a sandcastle that has accepted its fate, it is better to stand where the wind and waves are the fiercest.”
I picked up The Defectives mostly on a fellow danmei fan’s recommendation, and I bumped it to the top of my reading list after receiving a stack of new titles. The glittered hardcover by Rosmei is absolutely stunning—one of the prettiest books on my shelf—and I’m almost afraid to touch it for fear of damaging it. Visually, it’s a win. Story-wise, it’s a complex space-mecha adventure with strong character dynamics and scattered bursts of emotional impact. While I’m not usually a big mecha fan, I’ve seen enough anime in the genre to keep up. Still, I found myself confused at times—terms are thrown around with little context, and some explanations feel overly simplified, which paradoxically makes the plot harder to follow for newer readers.
The world is dense, and Priest clearly has a lot of ambition for this story. There's political intrigue, a futuristic setting spanning multiple galaxies, and a system of social and psy power that feels layered but underexplained. A few standout characters carry the emotional weight of the story, and there’s chemistry—especially between two central figures—that adds an extra pull. At times, the pacing stumbles, shifting from chaos to quiet without a smooth transition, but there’s enough happening that I stayed engaged throughout.
This first volume didn’t quite land on my favorites list, but it left me curious. There’s a lot of heart beneath the action and confusion, and the potential for something truly gripping is definitely there. If you enjoy sci-fi with layered politics, found family themes, and a touch of mystery between the lines, this series is worth keeping an eye on. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all develops in Volume 2.
Date Read: 2025.06.22
I picked up The Defectives mostly on a fellow danmei fan’s recommendation, and I bumped it to the top of my reading list after receiving a stack of new titles. The glittered hardcover by Rosmei is absolutely stunning—one of the prettiest books on my shelf—and I’m almost afraid to touch it for fear of damaging it. Visually, it’s a win. Story-wise, it’s a complex space-mecha adventure with strong character dynamics and scattered bursts of emotional impact. While I’m not usually a big mecha fan, I’ve seen enough anime in the genre to keep up. Still, I found myself confused at times—terms are thrown around with little context, and some explanations feel overly simplified, which paradoxically makes the plot harder to follow for newer readers.
The world is dense, and Priest clearly has a lot of ambition for this story. There's political intrigue, a futuristic setting spanning multiple galaxies, and a system of social and psy power that feels layered but underexplained. A few standout characters carry the emotional weight of the story, and there’s chemistry—especially between two central figures—that adds an extra pull. At times, the pacing stumbles, shifting from chaos to quiet without a smooth transition, but there’s enough happening that I stayed engaged throughout.
This first volume didn’t quite land on my favorites list, but it left me curious. There’s a lot of heart beneath the action and confusion, and the potential for something truly gripping is definitely there. If you enjoy sci-fi with layered politics, found family themes, and a touch of mystery between the lines, this series is worth keeping an eye on. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all develops in Volume 2.
Date Read: 2025.06.22
January 2, 2026
First book of 2026 :D yay.
This was a fine read, but maybe I'm also very biased because I read that directly after Earth is Online, which was shit.
The whole book reads very good, like the translation makes way more sense than EiO. There is so much more worldbuilding in the first 30 pages, even tho the world is kinda ... confusing but whatever :D it's high-end sci-fi/mecha themes, so whatever.
Typical for chinese books its also full of torture and genocide, which was a sudden surprise, but also quite cool to read about.
It's very, very slow burn, also still very very confusing. I still don't really understand why Lin is so fixated on Lu Bixin, but maybe I just didn't really understand that part of the story? It's still cute.
Also it's only 4 stars, because like in every chinese novel I read up to now, i have a feeling, that I'm missing plot somewhere. Like it's not in the book, or ... i dunno. There are some time/plotskips in it, that left me confused.
Also to the end it's getting really ... well yeah confusing too? Also why did the publisher cut Vol. 2 in two halfs. Because the english vol 1 has the complete Vol 1, and 2 or 3 chapters of Vol. 2 in it???
Eh but whatever. I like it. Even tho they are also super overwpowered, everything always works for them out somehow. It's a lot of bullshitting their way out of a pickle, but u know what? I dont care. It's really fun.
This was a fine read, but maybe I'm also very biased because I read that directly after Earth is Online, which was shit.
The whole book reads very good, like the translation makes way more sense than EiO. There is so much more worldbuilding in the first 30 pages, even tho the world is kinda ... confusing but whatever :D it's high-end sci-fi/mecha themes, so whatever.
Typical for chinese books its also full of torture and genocide, which was a sudden surprise, but also quite cool to read about.
It's very, very slow burn, also still very very confusing. I still don't really understand why Lin is so fixated on Lu Bixin, but maybe I just didn't really understand that part of the story? It's still cute.
Also it's only 4 stars, because like in every chinese novel I read up to now, i have a feeling, that I'm missing plot somewhere. Like it's not in the book, or ... i dunno. There are some time/plotskips in it, that left me confused.
Also to the end it's getting really ... well yeah confusing too? Also why did the publisher cut Vol. 2 in two halfs. Because the english vol 1 has the complete Vol 1, and 2 or 3 chapters of Vol. 2 in it???
Eh but whatever. I like it. Even tho they are also super overwpowered, everything always works for them out somehow. It's a lot of bullshitting their way out of a pickle, but u know what? I dont care. It's really fun.
November 6, 2025
I have such mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, I do think the plot is engaging and the intense moments land well. But on the other, I'm struggling hard with the at times flippant tone. The humorous moments are not at all working for me, and I can't tell if it's due to translation choices, the original tone of the work, or both.
I'm really torn whether I want to purchase the next volume or not. :(
I'm really torn whether I want to purchase the next volume or not. :(
July 1, 2025
As with all Priest books I found it a little dense and difficult to get into the beginning but as the book continued really started to get into it .
I want to see where this one goes .
I want to see where this one goes .
Read
November 19, 2025DNF at 13%
I’m really not into mecha genres or anything super futuristic. I see the appeal but this just isn’t for me.
Her novels have been really hit or miss for me. I love Sha Po Lang but I disliked Guardian, and this one just didn’t catch me. Not to say the writing is bad or anything. I do love her writing, but I’m not gonna rate this one.
I’m really not into mecha genres or anything super futuristic. I see the appeal but this just isn’t for me.
Her novels have been really hit or miss for me. I love Sha Po Lang but I disliked Guardian, and this one just didn’t catch me. Not to say the writing is bad or anything. I do love her writing, but I’m not gonna rate this one.
July 15, 2025
I need Vol. 2 now.
I have never loved anything as much as I love this story.
I have never loved anything as much as I love this story.
October 7, 2025
Priest writes Sci-fy and a space opera. Of all the Priest books I've read, this is my least favorite so far. It's not bad, I'm just not feeling the space vibe. I have tried over and over to read Sci-fy and it comes off as cold to me. I guess that's fitting for space.
There are a lot of moving parts in this one. We meet Lu Bixing. He is that always positive, nothiing can get him down teacher. He is the principal of a space school in the poor galaxy. There are eight galaxies. The first seven are all much fancier and better, but the eight is like the poor and downtrodden. That's where they live. He's a genius trying to help these delinquents.
Then, the other lead character is Liu Jingheng, a mobster on the planet. Basically all the kids thing he's cool and come to school just to get to see this character. But are they who they say they are. Liu Jingheng has some souped up AI that no one else does that gives him the edge, thanks to his master.
We get to know the school and it isn't long before the kids are flung out into space and Lu Bixing has to go save them. They get entangled in space politics and this whole thing starts.
The novel ended up being a space journey. The first and second part are in here. The story in total has seven parts.
Priests characters are so well defined and so good. Most people are idiots and uneducated. Lu Bixing is constantly trying to help them learn. She still tortures her characters in the Xianxia way. She and Meatbun are the worst at torturing their characters. She writing is amazing, the space and future stuff just didn't ring for me.
We end up at a space station waiting for a huge battle to come. It's a cliff hanger for sure. I can't wait for the next one.
There are a lot of moving parts in this one. We meet Lu Bixing. He is that always positive, nothiing can get him down teacher. He is the principal of a space school in the poor galaxy. There are eight galaxies. The first seven are all much fancier and better, but the eight is like the poor and downtrodden. That's where they live. He's a genius trying to help these delinquents.
Then, the other lead character is Liu Jingheng, a mobster on the planet. Basically all the kids thing he's cool and come to school just to get to see this character. But are they who they say they are. Liu Jingheng has some souped up AI that no one else does that gives him the edge, thanks to his master.
We get to know the school and it isn't long before the kids are flung out into space and Lu Bixing has to go save them. They get entangled in space politics and this whole thing starts.
The novel ended up being a space journey. The first and second part are in here. The story in total has seven parts.
Priests characters are so well defined and so good. Most people are idiots and uneducated. Lu Bixing is constantly trying to help them learn. She still tortures her characters in the Xianxia way. She and Meatbun are the worst at torturing their characters. She writing is amazing, the space and future stuff just didn't ring for me.
We end up at a space station waiting for a huge battle to come. It's a cliff hanger for sure. I can't wait for the next one.
June 29, 2025
My babygirl two man space waltz.
Without any actual spoilers after re-reading the beginning of the novel for the first time in a while, I still absolutely devoured it at the same pace I did the first time I read it. I feel like I discover something new every time that I do get to reread it, and get to appreciate the future foreshadowing for certain aspects of the story. Anyways it's a lovely official english translation that I'm glad exists.
Though I know many danmei fans have been exposed to the ancient genre first and aren't used to modern or sci-fi, if you are interested please give the novel a chance. It is quite a classic and ambitious space opera that tackles a lot of different themes, the largest of them being the definition of what freedom is, drawing inspiration from a spectrum of extremes like Brave New World to 1984. Also there's found family, a lot of political intrigue, systems of faith, and slow-burn romance. Even with how futuristic and technologically advanced everything is, over the course of the entire story, there are certain themes and events that are very similar to things we've witnessed in recent history and are relevant to us in this era. Despite everything, it really does come back to the question of where will humanity go in the future?
However take everything I say with a grain of salt because I am a really really big can ci pin fan and I hope y'all will get to enjoy Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng as much as I do :D
Without any actual spoilers after re-reading the beginning of the novel for the first time in a while, I still absolutely devoured it at the same pace I did the first time I read it. I feel like I discover something new every time that I do get to reread it, and get to appreciate the future foreshadowing for certain aspects of the story. Anyways it's a lovely official english translation that I'm glad exists.
Though I know many danmei fans have been exposed to the ancient genre first and aren't used to modern or sci-fi, if you are interested please give the novel a chance. It is quite a classic and ambitious space opera that tackles a lot of different themes, the largest of them being the definition of what freedom is, drawing inspiration from a spectrum of extremes like Brave New World to 1984. Also there's found family, a lot of political intrigue, systems of faith, and slow-burn romance. Even with how futuristic and technologically advanced everything is, over the course of the entire story, there are certain themes and events that are very similar to things we've witnessed in recent history and are relevant to us in this era. Despite everything, it really does come back to the question of where will humanity go in the future?
However take everything I say with a grain of salt because I am a really really big can ci pin fan and I hope y'all will get to enjoy Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng as much as I do :D
December 14, 2025
i'm a priest fan girl so i'm super thankful that it was picked up by rosmei, instead of the other one. the translation is clearly of a higher quality--i can really enjoy the exchanges between the characters without feeling irked by clumsy prose. and the production? chef's kiss.
as for the story wise - yes it's mecha themed, so not to everyone's taste especially those used to historical danmei. it's dense, and humorous. again, may not be everyone's cup of tea but i thought priest (and the translator) has struck a good balance between the serious and moments of brevity. will be continuing with the rest of the series.
as for the story wise - yes it's mecha themed, so not to everyone's taste especially those used to historical danmei. it's dense, and humorous. again, may not be everyone's cup of tea but i thought priest (and the translator) has struck a good balance between the serious and moments of brevity. will be continuing with the rest of the series.
October 28, 2025
Insane work from Priest, as usual! The characters are all engaging and that makes The Horrors that befall them hit all the harder. The plot is very interesting, following the dregs of society as the society gets destroyed around them. I'm not used to read sci-fi but I got pulled in very quickly.
Countless theories formed as I read and I can't wait for the next volume to see if maybe I got some of them right!
Countless theories formed as I read and I can't wait for the next volume to see if maybe I got some of them right!
July 20, 2025
incredibly lost and confused but i ❤️ lu bixing
July 10, 2025
4.5* No wonder it's an award-winning novel.
It's one of the more complex stories from Priest, worldbuilding-wise, and it's sci-fi to boot, which may prove intimidating to some - but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The author, as usual, tackles questions about society and humanity, so don't expect a light read. But it does contain a good amount of humour to balance it all out. And there are several mysteries brewing. My only complaint is that the story dragged a bit in the final two chapters. I'm sure it will pick up again in the next volume. Can't wait to see where it's all heading!
On the technical side, I will say the translation is very good, probably among my favourite official translations, and it's also a massive improvement compared to the fan tl.
It's one of the more complex stories from Priest, worldbuilding-wise, and it's sci-fi to boot, which may prove intimidating to some - but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The author, as usual, tackles questions about society and humanity, so don't expect a light read. But it does contain a good amount of humour to balance it all out. And there are several mysteries brewing. My only complaint is that the story dragged a bit in the final two chapters. I'm sure it will pick up again in the next volume. Can't wait to see where it's all heading!
On the technical side, I will say the translation is very good, probably among my favourite official translations, and it's also a massive improvement compared to the fan tl.
September 27, 2025
The book cover is so beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews