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The Prince of Glass
In the Glass Palace of a dying Empire, a bloodline power is awakened and loyalty is tested as two destinies entwine.
Zhenfeng Ren, a dedicated captain from the borderlands, lives by the blade and a vow to protect. But when an act of heroism thrusts him into the heart of the Glass Palace, he's faced with a new, unexpected Personal guard to the fragile Prince of Glass. With his face hidden behind a mask and far from the battlefield he knows, will he lose himself, or find something he never expected?
No one expects much of Prince Baojian, the last heir to a divine-touched bloodline. Sheltered from the world by the overprotective empress and trivialized by the courts, he is trapped in a world of whispers and reflections that don’t show the truth of who he is. When an assassination attempt awakens in him a power the world believes lost, will his glass prison finally shatter, or smother him completely?
With the threat against the throne still looming and no one else to trust, Zhenfeng must decide what it means to protect a prince who is more than he seems, and Baojian must discover exactly what he’s capable of, even if it leads to danger in more ways than one.
A romantic, slow-burn BL Romance about power, devotion, and truth.
Perfect for fans
Elegant Eastern-inspired fantasySlow-burn LGBTQ+ romanceDetective subplots and political betrayalMask symbolismHalloween-inspired festivalsgrumpy/sunshine dynamicsForbidden loveContent YA/ PG 13
Zhenfeng Ren, a dedicated captain from the borderlands, lives by the blade and a vow to protect. But when an act of heroism thrusts him into the heart of the Glass Palace, he's faced with a new, unexpected Personal guard to the fragile Prince of Glass. With his face hidden behind a mask and far from the battlefield he knows, will he lose himself, or find something he never expected?
No one expects much of Prince Baojian, the last heir to a divine-touched bloodline. Sheltered from the world by the overprotective empress and trivialized by the courts, he is trapped in a world of whispers and reflections that don’t show the truth of who he is. When an assassination attempt awakens in him a power the world believes lost, will his glass prison finally shatter, or smother him completely?
With the threat against the throne still looming and no one else to trust, Zhenfeng must decide what it means to protect a prince who is more than he seems, and Baojian must discover exactly what he’s capable of, even if it leads to danger in more ways than one.
A romantic, slow-burn BL Romance about power, devotion, and truth.
Perfect for fans
Elegant Eastern-inspired fantasySlow-burn LGBTQ+ romanceDetective subplots and political betrayalMask symbolismHalloween-inspired festivalsgrumpy/sunshine dynamicsForbidden loveContent YA/ PG 13
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2025
About the author
Jingyi Ru
2 books9 followersJust a secretive little gremlin writing plot twists at 2am and crying at the gym to the playlists I curated for each character. Find me on tiktok for art and memes @rujingyi
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 7, 2026
Mark this as the biggest literary surprise of 2026 for me.
This book is all about the vibes and the beautiful writing. I felt this book immediately. I was literally sucked in.
I feel bad because I initially downloaded it with the intention of hating it and roasting it to my friend. We love danmei, and the cover and description of this gave those impressions…but it’s not danmei (at least I don’t think it was originally written in Chinese and translated to English, and I would say this book is less Chinese and more “Asian inspired”). This book is its own thing, and I love it.
The prose itself is lovely without being purple. The characters (dual first person POV) are real, and distinct and have such chemistry. The plot is simple enough to follow while still being interesting.
I like my stories to be plot driven OR romance driven. I hate a book where the characters have so much chemistry that I find myself rushing through the plot points just to get to more interactions between them. This story has a nice balance, and definitely leans more toward romance driven. I am not complaining.
I am going to buy a hard copy for my shelves and I’m immediately reading the second installment.
Now for the constructive criticisms:
*there are grammatical errors occasionally. Some slips between tenses, some misspelled words (the word “dais” was flipped to “dias” constantly, which I’m sure was an autocorrect error and not a deal breaker to me for a self published book)
*the book COULD have used more fleshing out, but I think that’s because I just WANTED more of the sweet characters and the interesting magic. One more draft with more world building and exploration of the magic would have been nice. But I would definitely rather have a book that leaves me wishing for more than one that I wish was 100 pages shorter.
No matter the minor things I might have changed or fixed: this book was a good time and I am so glad I gave it a chance.
This book is all about the vibes and the beautiful writing. I felt this book immediately. I was literally sucked in.
I feel bad because I initially downloaded it with the intention of hating it and roasting it to my friend. We love danmei, and the cover and description of this gave those impressions…but it’s not danmei (at least I don’t think it was originally written in Chinese and translated to English, and I would say this book is less Chinese and more “Asian inspired”). This book is its own thing, and I love it.
The prose itself is lovely without being purple. The characters (dual first person POV) are real, and distinct and have such chemistry. The plot is simple enough to follow while still being interesting.
I like my stories to be plot driven OR romance driven. I hate a book where the characters have so much chemistry that I find myself rushing through the plot points just to get to more interactions between them. This story has a nice balance, and definitely leans more toward romance driven. I am not complaining.
I am going to buy a hard copy for my shelves and I’m immediately reading the second installment.
Now for the constructive criticisms:
*there are grammatical errors occasionally. Some slips between tenses, some misspelled words (the word “dais” was flipped to “dias” constantly, which I’m sure was an autocorrect error and not a deal breaker to me for a self published book)
*the book COULD have used more fleshing out, but I think that’s because I just WANTED more of the sweet characters and the interesting magic. One more draft with more world building and exploration of the magic would have been nice. But I would definitely rather have a book that leaves me wishing for more than one that I wish was 100 pages shorter.
No matter the minor things I might have changed or fixed: this book was a good time and I am so glad I gave it a chance.
June 10, 2026
This book had all the ingredients for something I would have loved but unfortunately it didn’t meet my expectations. Which sucks because I LOVE queer East Asian inspired stories! I did looooooove the art at the end and am tempted to pick up the next book just because of that. While I did love the idea there were a few things that just made it sorta meh for me.
1. The dual POV. I love multiple POVs in my books, and I’m not the kind of person to be bothered when there’s multiple first person POVs. A lot of books benefit from that! This book did not. I think the problem was that the chapters were very, very short. So you have veeeeeery short chapters + switching POVs every chapter + first person POVs which means metaphorical whiplash. I had to go back so many times to make sure I knew who was narrating. If the chapters were like quadruple their length it would’ve probably worked! Also, if the book was longer it would’ve worked better. Because of the rapid switching we never really got to see any character growth or depth. I think this book would’ve strongly benefitted from just one POV.
2. The length. There was a LOT to cram into 200 pages. I’m talking the amount of plot that’s usually squished into 300-400+ pages. This was almost novella length with a novel plot and it just didn’t work. Because so much had to happen in so few pages we missed out on a lot of important things, like:
-foreshadowing (there was none. Because of that the ending didn’t feel as cliffhanger-y as it could’ve been)
-character development. You’re telling me I’m supposed to ship these two guys we barely got to see interact and fall for each other?
-worldbuilding (see point 3) and lore
-conflict and climax and all those other important things that usually make a story but fell flat with this one
3. Worldbuilding and lore. The premise was there! Glass bending, mirror worlds, all of that sounds SO COOL!!! But none of it was really fleshed out or developed so I’m just confused. Why does any of it really matter? Why does the prince’s closest guard need to wear a glass mask 24/7? How does the glass magic work? I’m left with more questions than answers.
This book really could’ve used a bit more work and development. I would’ve loved to see a longer version! I’m not sure I’ll continue the series but I’m glad I gave this one a try.
1. The dual POV. I love multiple POVs in my books, and I’m not the kind of person to be bothered when there’s multiple first person POVs. A lot of books benefit from that! This book did not. I think the problem was that the chapters were very, very short. So you have veeeeeery short chapters + switching POVs every chapter + first person POVs which means metaphorical whiplash. I had to go back so many times to make sure I knew who was narrating. If the chapters were like quadruple their length it would’ve probably worked! Also, if the book was longer it would’ve worked better. Because of the rapid switching we never really got to see any character growth or depth. I think this book would’ve strongly benefitted from just one POV.
2. The length. There was a LOT to cram into 200 pages. I’m talking the amount of plot that’s usually squished into 300-400+ pages. This was almost novella length with a novel plot and it just didn’t work. Because so much had to happen in so few pages we missed out on a lot of important things, like:
-foreshadowing (there was none. Because of that the ending didn’t feel as cliffhanger-y as it could’ve been)
-character development. You’re telling me I’m supposed to ship these two guys we barely got to see interact and fall for each other?
-worldbuilding (see point 3) and lore
-conflict and climax and all those other important things that usually make a story but fell flat with this one
3. Worldbuilding and lore. The premise was there! Glass bending, mirror worlds, all of that sounds SO COOL!!! But none of it was really fleshed out or developed so I’m just confused. Why does any of it really matter? Why does the prince’s closest guard need to wear a glass mask 24/7? How does the glass magic work? I’m left with more questions than answers.
This book really could’ve used a bit more work and development. I would’ve loved to see a longer version! I’m not sure I’ll continue the series but I’m glad I gave this one a try.
January 23, 2026
The only thing keeping “The Prince of Glass” by @rujingyiwrites from a 5⭐ is the fact that it's very much a Part 1. I legitimately could not put it down. Magic? Delicious. Relationships? Complex. Slow burn? Absolutely, please, give me more.
After saving a palace official, Zhengfeng Ren is removed from the battlefield and assigned to the side of Prince Baojian. Tradition dictates that he is required to wear a mask at all times, except in the privacy of his own chambers, effectively divorcing him from his identity as he devotes his entire life to Baojian’s safety. But while sheltered, Baojian isn’t a wilting-flower of a prince, nor an imperious nightmare. He surprises Zhengfeng with his sense of humor, intelligent curiosity, and most importantly, his desire to take his birthright in his own hands and use it for good.
Xie Lian from TGCF is one of my favorite characters like, ever. Baojian is obviously a different character, but he struck similar chords that instantly endeared him to me. He was a wonderful blend of being keenly aware of his situation while still remaining somewhat naive, and his POV chapters were so so good. His chapters were also more elaborate and flowery than Zhengfeng’s, and it was fun to compare and contrast the style based upon each character’s history and perspective. I really can't wait to see what happens to him going forward now that everything has officially hit the fan. I hope he is able to keep that goodness™️, even if he ends up being… a little crispier than he started out.
None of that is to say that I love Zhengfeng any less! His slow reluctance to open up as he got to know Baojian and became closer to him was delightful. I especially loved his struggle between staying true to his duty, and staying true to his beliefs.
Here’s hoping that the second book (which came out today! aah!) is just as good! I am so excited! If you have any interest in this book and are open to Chinese-inspired slow-burn BL fantasy, I beg you
to go read it.
After saving a palace official, Zhengfeng Ren is removed from the battlefield and assigned to the side of Prince Baojian. Tradition dictates that he is required to wear a mask at all times, except in the privacy of his own chambers, effectively divorcing him from his identity as he devotes his entire life to Baojian’s safety. But while sheltered, Baojian isn’t a wilting-flower of a prince, nor an imperious nightmare. He surprises Zhengfeng with his sense of humor, intelligent curiosity, and most importantly, his desire to take his birthright in his own hands and use it for good.
Xie Lian from TGCF is one of my favorite characters like, ever. Baojian is obviously a different character, but he struck similar chords that instantly endeared him to me. He was a wonderful blend of being keenly aware of his situation while still remaining somewhat naive, and his POV chapters were so so good. His chapters were also more elaborate and flowery than Zhengfeng’s, and it was fun to compare and contrast the style based upon each character’s history and perspective. I really can't wait to see what happens to him going forward now that everything has officially hit the fan. I hope he is able to keep that goodness™️, even if he ends up being… a little crispier than he started out.
None of that is to say that I love Zhengfeng any less! His slow reluctance to open up as he got to know Baojian and became closer to him was delightful. I especially loved his struggle between staying true to his duty, and staying true to his beliefs.
Here’s hoping that the second book (which came out today! aah!) is just as good! I am so excited! If you have any interest in this book and are open to Chinese-inspired slow-burn BL fantasy, I beg you
to go read it.
November 15, 2025
This captivated me
I don’t like books like this. I don’t read historical, I don’t care for fantasy or magical, and I’ve never read anything set in china (at least I think it’s china). I usually don’t care for the bodyguard/spoiled prince trope so I sat down to read it not expecting much, and didn’t get back up until I had read the whole thing. It’s way too late at night and I just couldn’t stop. I realized I was going to be in trouble when I saw there was only 10% of the book left and I didn’t want it to end. My only criticism is that it ended way too soon and I am left gasping and heartbroken that I can’t immediately pick up the sequel to find out what happens next.
The setting is beautiful and the boys are lovely. Their dialogue is so natural and engaging, I was completely lost in stolen glances and shy intimacy, and the mcs have such a genuine kindness for each other that was really sweet to see growing. The artwork at the end is so cute and I just can’t get over that it’s over already. Honestly, this could be a 6 star read for me. I’ve been in such a slump and this was exactly what I needed.
I don’t like books like this. I don’t read historical, I don’t care for fantasy or magical, and I’ve never read anything set in china (at least I think it’s china). I usually don’t care for the bodyguard/spoiled prince trope so I sat down to read it not expecting much, and didn’t get back up until I had read the whole thing. It’s way too late at night and I just couldn’t stop. I realized I was going to be in trouble when I saw there was only 10% of the book left and I didn’t want it to end. My only criticism is that it ended way too soon and I am left gasping and heartbroken that I can’t immediately pick up the sequel to find out what happens next.
The setting is beautiful and the boys are lovely. Their dialogue is so natural and engaging, I was completely lost in stolen glances and shy intimacy, and the mcs have such a genuine kindness for each other that was really sweet to see growing. The artwork at the end is so cute and I just can’t get over that it’s over already. Honestly, this could be a 6 star read for me. I’ve been in such a slump and this was exactly what I needed.
February 9, 2026
I enjoyed this significantly more than I was expecting to. There were issues I had, but I think most of them stem from this being a small-scale independent project. There were plenty of errors with grammar and a couple with formatting (I think the book could’ve used some line and copy editing). Also, I don’t like the choice to repeat certain scenes in the other pov—I didn’t like it in powerless, and I can’t say I like it here, especially when the book is already so short. However, I do like to give self-published books grace, and I did have a good time reading. I like the prince and knight dynamic, I liked their characters, I liked the court intrigue and the magic system. I honestly wish the book was longer. That being said, I am still excited to see where the story goes in the next one.
March 2, 2026
This was a delightful little find! For only 200 pages the story telling was well done. It didn’t feel rushed, it was the right mix of showing us the world while telling the story, just the right amount of world building. The first couple of chapters felt a little clunky as we were dropped into the middle of a war and it kinda felt like we were missing part of the backstory but that resolved itself pretty quickly. This quickly became a really interesting read with just the right amount of tension, conflict and romance with a good plot to keep me excited to keep reading the story. Excited to dive into book 2!
September 2, 2025
PHENOMENAL
Very few books weave together the perfect amount of intrigue, romance, and world building, but Jingyi Ru did it so well. The Prince of Glass was everything I could hope for in a book since chasing the high of reading Captive Prince years ago. World building with out dredging it down in millions of complicated details, characters that grow and make the reader want to peal back the layers to reveal more, a magic system that is unique and interesting, and a plot that seams to be gearing up for greatness. I cannot WAIT to read more.
Very few books weave together the perfect amount of intrigue, romance, and world building, but Jingyi Ru did it so well. The Prince of Glass was everything I could hope for in a book since chasing the high of reading Captive Prince years ago. World building with out dredging it down in millions of complicated details, characters that grow and make the reader want to peal back the layers to reveal more, a magic system that is unique and interesting, and a plot that seams to be gearing up for greatness. I cannot WAIT to read more.
September 16, 2025
Enjoyable read. Cannot wait for the second book in this series! Hope it comes soon!
March 23, 2026
potentially my favorite read of the year so far... i can't wait to read the second one!
May 2, 2026
intesting
A fast moving adventure with interesting characters. My wife likes the genre and commented this was more unusual and better crafted then many.
A fast moving adventure with interesting characters. My wife likes the genre and commented this was more unusual and better crafted then many.
November 19, 2025
Wow is all I can say. For a shorter novel, it did not feel rushed at all. I loved the magical concept of this story and that cliffhanger has me wishing the next installment was already out.
It was everything that the author promised - slow burn, forbidden love, elegent eastern-inspired fantasy and so much more. As someone who’s read BL stories like Captive Prince and Heaven’s Official Blessing, this story felt like a blend of all these troupes, which I enjoyed!
It was everything that the author promised - slow burn, forbidden love, elegent eastern-inspired fantasy and so much more. As someone who’s read BL stories like Captive Prince and Heaven’s Official Blessing, this story felt like a blend of all these troupes, which I enjoyed!
May 31, 2026
This is a great book. Strongly drawn characters, unique and immersive world building, dynamic writing style--it's all superb.
It's short I'm at 220 pages, though. That's my only complaint. I have strong regrets about the short length of many modern novels. They feel like they're just getting going when they end. It's very clear why this one ended where it did, but I suspect that when book 2 comes out, I'm going to feel like book 1 and 2 should have been one book with this as the omg! midpoint. I miss not being able to spend more than an evening engaged with characters rather than days, which happens more and more often.
That being said, the last time I was so immediately and thoroughly drawn into a world and its characters was KD Edwards' Tarot Sequence. This is fantasy rather than urban fantasy, but it also draws you in with likeable characters, an immersive world with a surprising magic system, and exciting plot. While this is described as a romance. I consider it plot and setting forward enough to meet a definition of fantasy novel with a central romance. I'm hoping that continues.
It's short I'm at 220 pages, though. That's my only complaint. I have strong regrets about the short length of many modern novels. They feel like they're just getting going when they end. It's very clear why this one ended where it did, but I suspect that when book 2 comes out, I'm going to feel like book 1 and 2 should have been one book with this as the omg! midpoint. I miss not being able to spend more than an evening engaged with characters rather than days, which happens more and more often.
That being said, the last time I was so immediately and thoroughly drawn into a world and its characters was KD Edwards' Tarot Sequence. This is fantasy rather than urban fantasy, but it also draws you in with likeable characters, an immersive world with a surprising magic system, and exciting plot. While this is described as a romance. I consider it plot and setting forward enough to meet a definition of fantasy novel with a central romance. I'm hoping that continues.
April 3, 2026
I enjoyed the story but the execution was lacking. This did not need to be dual POV. In fact, it suffered because of it. It was unnecessary and disrupted the flow of the story. A couple of chapters even retold the exact same events - dialogue and all - from the opposite POV.
The story itself was ambitious for only 200 pages. Because of this, many moments felt rushed and overly-convenient. There would have been so much opportunity to flesh out the story if the author hadn't committed to switching POVs every chapter.
But, again, I enjoyed the story and I liked the characters enough that I'll be reading the sequel.
The story itself was ambitious for only 200 pages. Because of this, many moments felt rushed and overly-convenient. There would have been so much opportunity to flesh out the story if the author hadn't committed to switching POVs every chapter.
But, again, I enjoyed the story and I liked the characters enough that I'll be reading the sequel.
December 23, 2025
A nice surprise!
I really enjoyed this book! The story is short but unique and not like anything I’ve read before. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in book two!
I really enjoyed this book! The story is short but unique and not like anything I’ve read before. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next in book two!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews