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Panguan: The Twelfth Gate #1
Panguan: The Twelfth Gate (Novel) Vol. 1
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26From the author and universe of Copper Coins and Three Hundred Years of Longing comes a modern-day, supernatural danmei (Boys’ Love) story about a man without a soul and the one determined to save him at all costs.
As a panguan, a cultivator tasked with putting the dead to rest, Wen Shi has spent a thousand years sending souls on to their next life. But without a soul of his own, he’s trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth, desperately searching for the lost pieces of himself.
Now, reborn for the twelfth time, he feels a constant hunger that can only be satisfied by consuming the dark miasma that clings to the dead. So when failed panguan Xie Wen responds to Wen Shi’s ad for a roommate, Wen Shi is taken aback by the dense miasma cloaking the handsome young man. Smug and irritating, Xie Wen instantly becomes Wen Shi’s most tempting meal. Yet the longer Wen Shi spends with Xie Wen, the more mysterious he seems. Xie Wen appears to know things about Wen Shi even Wen Shi has forgotten—things that could end his millennium of lonely wandering.
As a panguan, a cultivator tasked with putting the dead to rest, Wen Shi has spent a thousand years sending souls on to their next life. But without a soul of his own, he’s trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth, desperately searching for the lost pieces of himself.
Now, reborn for the twelfth time, he feels a constant hunger that can only be satisfied by consuming the dark miasma that clings to the dead. So when failed panguan Xie Wen responds to Wen Shi’s ad for a roommate, Wen Shi is taken aback by the dense miasma cloaking the handsome young man. Smug and irritating, Xie Wen instantly becomes Wen Shi’s most tempting meal. Yet the longer Wen Shi spends with Xie Wen, the more mysterious he seems. Xie Wen appears to know things about Wen Shi even Wen Shi has forgotten—things that could end his millennium of lonely wandering.
412 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy
2.5/5 🌟
This is strictly if I were to divide the novel in 4 books. Giving me 30/117 chapters for this volume, and for the first 30 chapters, I was very disappointed. But I will keep my thoughts to myself in fear of people just being cruel for me having an opinion.
This style of writing feels so "tell, don't show." I feel like I've learned I like and prefer "Show, Don't Tell" more.
One thing I did like is the endings of the gates. It was touching to see those who have died be able to release their burdens and move on.
I didn't like how long it took to get there... But at least we got to the end of the gates!
I am still reading this whole novel and hope to gain love for the story as a whole. As I'm writing this review, I'm 43% of the way in and am definitely enjoying it more now. So there's hope.
(ˊᵒ̴̶̷̤ ꇴ ᵒ̴̶̷̤ˋ)♡
I loved Copper Coins in the same universe, and gave it such a high rating. But this specific volume of Panguan... I just didn't feel it.
Main Characters: ★★☆☆☆
Plot potential: ★★★★☆
Deliverance: ★☆☆☆☆
Side Characters: ★★★☆☆
Romance/Emotions: ★☆☆☆☆
Writing style: ★☆☆☆☆
This is strictly if I were to divide the novel in 4 books. Giving me 30/117 chapters for this volume, and for the first 30 chapters, I was very disappointed. But I will keep my thoughts to myself in fear of people just being cruel for me having an opinion.
This style of writing feels so "tell, don't show." I feel like I've learned I like and prefer "Show, Don't Tell" more.
One thing I did like is the endings of the gates. It was touching to see those who have died be able to release their burdens and move on.
I didn't like how long it took to get there... But at least we got to the end of the gates!
I am still reading this whole novel and hope to gain love for the story as a whole. As I'm writing this review, I'm 43% of the way in and am definitely enjoying it more now. So there's hope.
(ˊᵒ̴̶̷̤ ꇴ ᵒ̴̶̷̤ˋ)♡
I loved Copper Coins in the same universe, and gave it such a high rating. But this specific volume of Panguan... I just didn't feel it.
Main Characters: ★★☆☆☆
Plot potential: ★★★★☆
Deliverance: ★☆☆☆☆
Side Characters: ★★★☆☆
Romance/Emotions: ★☆☆☆☆
Writing style: ★☆☆☆☆
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I enjoy the main characters dynamics but I not really enjoying the cages thing.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews