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残次品 #1
残次品 [Can Ci Pin]
“这是最好的时代，也是最坏的时代。”——狄更斯《双城记》
“我带着深藏骨血的仇恨与酝酿多年的阴谋，把自己变成一个死而复生的幽灵，沉入沼泽，沉入深渊，我想埋下腐烂的根系，长出见血封喉的荆棘，刺穿这个虚伪的文明。
我到了淤泥深处……捡到了一颗星星。”
偶像包袱三吨重的二百五攻 VS 城府深沉的流氓头子受
年下=w=
内容标签： 三教九流 传奇 星际 未来架空
搜索关键字：主角：林，陆必行 ┃ 配角： ┃ 其它：流氓职业教育学院的崛起
一句话简介：太空二人转
“我带着深藏骨血的仇恨与酝酿多年的阴谋，把自己变成一个死而复生的幽灵，沉入沼泽，沉入深渊，我想埋下腐烂的根系，长出见血封喉的荆棘，刺穿这个虚伪的文明。
我到了淤泥深处……捡到了一颗星星。”
偶像包袱三吨重的二百五攻 VS 城府深沉的流氓头子受
年下=w=
内容标签： 三教九流 传奇 星际 未来架空
搜索关键字：主角：林，陆必行 ┃ 配角： ┃ 其它：流氓职业教育学院的崛起
一句话简介：太空二人转
1599 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2017
174 people are currently reading
1519 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 28, 2021
By the end of volume 1 we are merely given a sneak peak at the troubled waters. We are also given a tour around it while showcasing few bridges that might connect to the center but we are not yet allowed to walk by them. Priest’s writing is impeccable as always and getting dragged into the story is inevitable. It is quite different from what I usually read so I had to wrap my head around a bit. Still if you are a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, it won’t be that hard to get used to it.
As always with Priest, the romance is a slow build up. Right now at this moment you can barely say it’s romance but rather comradeship between them. The future doesn’t look that promising to all characters but I hope it won’t be that bleak (hopefully less deaths). An unfortunate turn of events that I noticed was that the novel is actually 5 volumes but Goodreads has updated 2 only. How am I to update my books now? :(
As always with Priest, the romance is a slow build up. Right now at this moment you can barely say it’s romance but rather comradeship between them. The future doesn’t look that promising to all characters but I hope it won’t be that bleak (hopefully less deaths). An unfortunate turn of events that I noticed was that the novel is actually 5 volumes but Goodreads has updated 2 only. How am I to update my books now? :(
December 21, 2019
My short review is: priest is awesome.
My longer review: In this book, humans are living in a futuristic planet where everyone is part of a mental/neural network called Eden. People have given up their privacy and freedom so that Eden monitors people's slightest physiological and emotional status, making changes to ensure that people live well and happily. The average lifespan is now at least a few hundred years. There is AI everywhere and pretty much everything is automated, convenient and easy. Nearly anything can be done with technology - some of it includes creating virtual models of people who have passed so you can still interact with them in a very limited sense; recording memories like videos, travelling through space, gestating (?) infants outside of the womb... Eden sounds idyllic.
But there is a group of people, whom the novel refers to as 'imperfect' (the title), who are sort of 'brain dead'. They're not able to connect and be affected by Eden. They're considered the rejects of society and are pushed to the fringes of the galaxy, to the eighth galaxy, where they're ignored and treated as substandard. The novel follows two characters, Lu Bixing, and Lin Jingheng, who are both revolutionaries. They want to bring down the administrators of Eden and bring equality to the people of the eighth galaxy.
There are a lot of big questions about the future of humanity, freedom, equality, morality. She writes quite differently from Western authors about technology - quite a lot of the utopia/dystopia novels I've read have an anxiety about where technology is going, whether we are really in control of it, individuality, privacy, sensationalism, mind control in the form of mass media and mass entertainment... But priest's focus is less on technology and more about freedom and morality. Are we all free if one group is more free than another?
I have to reread this at some point - probably once the English translation finishes - because my Chinese is not up to scratch enough to understand the finer details of the debate within the book. I had to read with a dictionary, which was so tedious that I ditched the dictionary about halfway through and ended up skimming quite a bit because I couldn't understand, lol. But oh man I loved reading Priest's writing again! She is so funny. She's also well-versed in western novels and quotes George Orwell and name drops various other western classics at some point.
I also have to rave about her characters. I find that Chinese novels tend to write characters with very clear and strong motivations. It's completely clear to me how their circumstances, their past and their personality have shaped their motivations, attitudes and goals. Main characters undergo quite a lot of change and growth. There are very few villains who are villainous for the sake of it.
I read somewhere that she's a psychology major, which I think explains a lot about her understanding of people.
Lu Bixing is a very idealistic and big-hearted person. He hopes to build a school and bring education to the eighth galaxy, which is basically like wanting to bring education to the slums. The people themselves don't even want it. He's very upbeat and he's basically described to be like a puppy - never disheartened, always optimistic, and even if he did meet any obstacles, he's able to shake it off pretty quickly. Lin Jingheng is his opposite. Introverted, aloof, keep things close to the chest, analytical.
While it was interesting watching the way they interacted, I think where priest's writing really shines is when disaster strikes. About 60% into the novel (both characters are now in a relationship with each other), Lin Jingheng's ship is blown up and he is presumed dead. Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng's reactions to the event showed very clearly how much they've changed. Lbx falls into a years-long depression; the description of it was visceral and accurate. He describes everyday as similar to walking on a tightrope. He has to make sure he doesn't lose his mind, lose hope and lose his soul while still maintaining his balance. It was quite painful to see how the optimistic, talkative and upbeat Lbx become withdrawn, quiet and even suicidal at times. I read The Body Keeps Score recently, and kept thinking about it when I was reading this.
Meanwhile Ljh who has always shown a very blasé attitude towards living - 'if I live, that's fine, if I die, that's fine too, I won't fight particularly hard to stay alive' - struggled very hard against difficult circumstances and a very sick and failing body to live.
It was even better after they reunited, because sixteen years had passed, and they'd both become very different people. There was this whole new, tenuous and painful period where they were trying to get used to each other again, with Ljh realizing that the person he'd immortalised in his mind and fought to live for was no longer that person, and he now had to bend over backwards to treat Lbx like glass. On the other hand, Lbx was struggling with being in the present moment where Ljh is alive, rather than being frozen in the traumatic past where Ljh is dead and Lbx is hopeless, helpless and reckless. It culminated into one of the most honest and vulnerable fights I saw a couple have in a Chinese novel. Usually, they don't talk about how they feel. They just kind of imply things. It was super cathartic and quite refreshing to read that.
This is not even mentioning the plethora of side characters and the plot twists. There were some really thrilling plot developments. My heart was in my throat, reading this.
I'm just heart eyes over this novel. It was so good.
My longer review: In this book, humans are living in a futuristic planet where everyone is part of a mental/neural network called Eden. People have given up their privacy and freedom so that Eden monitors people's slightest physiological and emotional status, making changes to ensure that people live well and happily. The average lifespan is now at least a few hundred years. There is AI everywhere and pretty much everything is automated, convenient and easy. Nearly anything can be done with technology - some of it includes creating virtual models of people who have passed so you can still interact with them in a very limited sense; recording memories like videos, travelling through space, gestating (?) infants outside of the womb... Eden sounds idyllic.
But there is a group of people, whom the novel refers to as 'imperfect' (the title), who are sort of 'brain dead'. They're not able to connect and be affected by Eden. They're considered the rejects of society and are pushed to the fringes of the galaxy, to the eighth galaxy, where they're ignored and treated as substandard. The novel follows two characters, Lu Bixing, and Lin Jingheng, who are both revolutionaries. They want to bring down the administrators of Eden and bring equality to the people of the eighth galaxy.
There are a lot of big questions about the future of humanity, freedom, equality, morality. She writes quite differently from Western authors about technology - quite a lot of the utopia/dystopia novels I've read have an anxiety about where technology is going, whether we are really in control of it, individuality, privacy, sensationalism, mind control in the form of mass media and mass entertainment... But priest's focus is less on technology and more about freedom and morality. Are we all free if one group is more free than another?
I have to reread this at some point - probably once the English translation finishes - because my Chinese is not up to scratch enough to understand the finer details of the debate within the book. I had to read with a dictionary, which was so tedious that I ditched the dictionary about halfway through and ended up skimming quite a bit because I couldn't understand, lol. But oh man I loved reading Priest's writing again! She is so funny. She's also well-versed in western novels and quotes George Orwell and name drops various other western classics at some point.
I also have to rave about her characters. I find that Chinese novels tend to write characters with very clear and strong motivations. It's completely clear to me how their circumstances, their past and their personality have shaped their motivations, attitudes and goals. Main characters undergo quite a lot of change and growth. There are very few villains who are villainous for the sake of it.
I read somewhere that she's a psychology major, which I think explains a lot about her understanding of people.
Lu Bixing is a very idealistic and big-hearted person. He hopes to build a school and bring education to the eighth galaxy, which is basically like wanting to bring education to the slums. The people themselves don't even want it. He's very upbeat and he's basically described to be like a puppy - never disheartened, always optimistic, and even if he did meet any obstacles, he's able to shake it off pretty quickly. Lin Jingheng is his opposite. Introverted, aloof, keep things close to the chest, analytical.
While it was interesting watching the way they interacted, I think where priest's writing really shines is when disaster strikes. About 60% into the novel (both characters are now in a relationship with each other), Lin Jingheng's ship is blown up and he is presumed dead. Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng's reactions to the event showed very clearly how much they've changed. Lbx falls into a years-long depression; the description of it was visceral and accurate. He describes everyday as similar to walking on a tightrope. He has to make sure he doesn't lose his mind, lose hope and lose his soul while still maintaining his balance. It was quite painful to see how the optimistic, talkative and upbeat Lbx become withdrawn, quiet and even suicidal at times. I read The Body Keeps Score recently, and kept thinking about it when I was reading this.
Meanwhile Ljh who has always shown a very blasé attitude towards living - 'if I live, that's fine, if I die, that's fine too, I won't fight particularly hard to stay alive' - struggled very hard against difficult circumstances and a very sick and failing body to live.
It was even better after they reunited, because sixteen years had passed, and they'd both become very different people. There was this whole new, tenuous and painful period where they were trying to get used to each other again, with Ljh realizing that the person he'd immortalised in his mind and fought to live for was no longer that person, and he now had to bend over backwards to treat Lbx like glass. On the other hand, Lbx was struggling with being in the present moment where Ljh is alive, rather than being frozen in the traumatic past where Ljh is dead and Lbx is hopeless, helpless and reckless. It culminated into one of the most honest and vulnerable fights I saw a couple have in a Chinese novel. Usually, they don't talk about how they feel. They just kind of imply things. It was super cathartic and quite refreshing to read that.
This is not even mentioning the plethora of side characters and the plot twists. There were some really thrilling plot developments. My heart was in my throat, reading this.
I'm just heart eyes over this novel. It was so good.
May 8, 2025
“I’m not saying these things to scold you, I just wanted you to know how I felt. My heart hurts.”
What a hidden gem! Priest is an incredible storyteller and quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I usually shy away from sci-fi but this was such a captivating, wild ride I really couldn’t stop reading it. I feel like this story has the perfect balance of everything- plot, world building, character arcs, action, drama, humor, and relationship development between the MC/ML. Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng are now one of my top 5 danmei couples. Their dynamic is everything ❤️ The amount of times I laughed out loud out of nowhere- I love Priest’s sense of humor so much.
✔️Golden Retriever Top/Black Cat Bottom
✔️Grumpy/sunshine
✔️Inexperienced in love (both)
✔️Super intelligent MC and ML
They are so perfect 🥰
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8RQYvjo/
Cannot wait for the official English translation to come out!
*It was not hard to follow but did require attention to details. It’s a very long story (689,229 word count- TGCF was about 787,794) so keep that in mind if you decide to start this journey!
What a hidden gem! Priest is an incredible storyteller and quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I usually shy away from sci-fi but this was such a captivating, wild ride I really couldn’t stop reading it. I feel like this story has the perfect balance of everything- plot, world building, character arcs, action, drama, humor, and relationship development between the MC/ML. Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng are now one of my top 5 danmei couples. Their dynamic is everything ❤️ The amount of times I laughed out loud out of nowhere- I love Priest’s sense of humor so much.
✔️Golden Retriever Top/Black Cat Bottom
✔️Grumpy/sunshine
✔️Inexperienced in love (both)
✔️Super intelligent MC and ML
They are so perfect 🥰
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8RQYvjo/
Cannot wait for the official English translation to come out!
*It was not hard to follow but did require attention to details. It’s a very long story (689,229 word count- TGCF was about 787,794) so keep that in mind if you decide to start this journey!
March 14, 2023
priest (who i cursed many times while reading it im sorry) once again serving food for my established relationship sucker heart
book 5 is the damn best thing I've ever read
im gonna need like 365 working days to process everything that happened
book 5 is the damn best thing I've ever read
im gonna need like 365 working days to process everything that happened
January 21, 2019
I've finished it! IT'S AMAZING. 10,000,000/10 stars
Plot: I'm not much of a "plot police" but I can really say the plot has been thought of very well. Something that happened very early on turned out to be such an important plot piece. The twists!! THE TWISTS. And the unfolding of past and present events too T_T Just so so so good. And if you're a fan of separation for a long time...
And! No one died /just because/.
Characters: It's interesting how you see the three major characters develop differently under the same situation of "suffering since childhood" and "having the same end goal". The way they approached situations and faced certain events truly highlighted these differences. I really love the MC's development from the bright, bouncy, naive young man that he was to what he became yet he never lost his heart, his dreams, and his goals. Truly a wonderful growing up story. Even how they dealt with relationship issues realistically...beautiful. ML's personal growth as well, how he was able to deal with the thorns that have plagued his heart for the longest time, how he is truly able to find his brightest star. I love their relationship!!!! Really healthy... Even the development of the secondary characters is very beautiful too!!!! Even the antagonist is spectacular, you'd be amazed by how this person was able to amass the resources they had despite everyone else thinking they were weak. Really brilliant. And they are "cruel for a cause"...they're not an antagonist just so they could laugh evilly in the center of the universe. The exploration of the antagonist's personality is really really good too.
Writing: I've lost count on how many times I had legit goosebumps while reading because of certain lines. The book is full of wisdom. Makes you think about the current situation of the society...it certainly mirrors current dilemmas and it'll show you the many ways how humanity could deal with it and what will be the results.
tl;dr: Can Ci Pin is not just some BL novel, because I'm aware how some people would only read for the "BL". Can Ci Pin is way beyond that. It's a great novel wonderfully crafted, beautifully written, that just happened to have a gay couple, just as how other novels have their own het couple too yet that couple is not the main focus of the story. I think this pattern is a trademark to priest's works, and it's really great. TwT
Plot: I'm not much of a "plot police" but I can really say the plot has been thought of very well. Something that happened very early on turned out to be such an important plot piece. The twists!! THE TWISTS. And the unfolding of past and present events too T_T Just so so so good. And if you're a fan of separation for a long time...
And! No one died /just because/.
Characters: It's interesting how you see the three major characters develop differently under the same situation of "suffering since childhood" and "having the same end goal". The way they approached situations and faced certain events truly highlighted these differences. I really love the MC's development from the bright, bouncy, naive young man that he was to what he became yet he never lost his heart, his dreams, and his goals. Truly a wonderful growing up story. Even how they dealt with relationship issues realistically...beautiful. ML's personal growth as well, how he was able to deal with the thorns that have plagued his heart for the longest time, how he is truly able to find his brightest star. I love their relationship!!!! Really healthy... Even the development of the secondary characters is very beautiful too!!!! Even the antagonist is spectacular, you'd be amazed by how this person was able to amass the resources they had despite everyone else thinking they were weak. Really brilliant. And they are "cruel for a cause"...they're not an antagonist just so they could laugh evilly in the center of the universe. The exploration of the antagonist's personality is really really good too.
Writing: I've lost count on how many times I had legit goosebumps while reading because of certain lines. The book is full of wisdom. Makes you think about the current situation of the society...it certainly mirrors current dilemmas and it'll show you the many ways how humanity could deal with it and what will be the results.
tl;dr: Can Ci Pin is not just some BL novel, because I'm aware how some people would only read for the "BL". Can Ci Pin is way beyond that. It's a great novel wonderfully crafted, beautifully written, that just happened to have a gay couple, just as how other novels have their own het couple too yet that couple is not the main focus of the story. I think this pattern is a trademark to priest's works, and it's really great. TwT
June 22, 2021
What can I say? I loved this book.
The characters are amazing, from the main characters, to the secondary ones, even the villains and the ones who were already dead when the book began, you get to know each one of them, empathize and even feel attachment.
Many events were certainly cruel, there were countless times when I got shaken by the happenings throughout the novel. From social inequality, flawed government models, discrimination followed by ostracization, the manipulation of the masses, political struggles, the unstable fate of humanity and the inhumane sacrifices made for the “bigger picture”. The novel excludes none of them and points them out.
But, leaving those issues aside, this novel also talks about faith, about surviving, about raising when you have fallen and metamorphing. It talks about hope.
At the beginning the author paints an idealistic society, they have revolutionary technology which can fulfill everyone's wishes and needs, a stable government and economy, there is no war, everyone is “happy”, it sounds like a Utopia, and then, conflicts arise, little by little as the plot develops that seemingly flawless society is stripped of its fake skin revealing its ugly and rotten core.
The characters are complex people, they have their own ideals and beliefs. You can see an amazing character development as you see them tripping and falling down, but then gritting their teeth to get up as they are forced to mature and change, realizing their own naivety or arrogance. Many times you question yourself “what would I do if I were them”, only to realize you may not have done better in their place.
The book triggers many conflicting feelings, there are times where you may feel as mentaly exhausted as the characters themselves, as hopeful, helpless, distressed, joyfull, as them. In the end, the author takes you through a journey of metamorphosis, letting you explore the twisted side of human nature, filled with greediness, selfishness, wickedness, etc, it shows you humanity’s Imperfections. But likewise it slowly heals by displaying its bright side, that one which is filled with solidarity and braveness; loyalty and survival; but most importantly, hope.
The characters are amazing, from the main characters, to the secondary ones, even the villains and the ones who were already dead when the book began, you get to know each one of them, empathize and even feel attachment.
Many events were certainly cruel, there were countless times when I got shaken by the happenings throughout the novel. From social inequality, flawed government models, discrimination followed by ostracization, the manipulation of the masses, political struggles, the unstable fate of humanity and the inhumane sacrifices made for the “bigger picture”. The novel excludes none of them and points them out.
But, leaving those issues aside, this novel also talks about faith, about surviving, about raising when you have fallen and metamorphing. It talks about hope.
At the beginning the author paints an idealistic society, they have revolutionary technology which can fulfill everyone's wishes and needs, a stable government and economy, there is no war, everyone is “happy”, it sounds like a Utopia, and then, conflicts arise, little by little as the plot develops that seemingly flawless society is stripped of its fake skin revealing its ugly and rotten core.
The characters are complex people, they have their own ideals and beliefs. You can see an amazing character development as you see them tripping and falling down, but then gritting their teeth to get up as they are forced to mature and change, realizing their own naivety or arrogance. Many times you question yourself “what would I do if I were them”, only to realize you may not have done better in their place.
The book triggers many conflicting feelings, there are times where you may feel as mentaly exhausted as the characters themselves, as hopeful, helpless, distressed, joyfull, as them. In the end, the author takes you through a journey of metamorphosis, letting you explore the twisted side of human nature, filled with greediness, selfishness, wickedness, etc, it shows you humanity’s Imperfections. But likewise it slowly heals by displaying its bright side, that one which is filled with solidarity and braveness; loyalty and survival; but most importantly, hope.
February 9, 2022
I-... Someone remind me later to put a review on this because my mind is currently fried snd i am having so much emotions and I need to recuperate
May 12, 2025
♾️/5
my new roman empire ❤️🩹
Найбільшим моїм упередженням було те що я не люблю sci-fi. Люблю так помилятись. Сюжетно цей роман перекриває всі даньмей що я читала. Я наче прожила ціле окреме життя з героями. Тепер відчуваю спустошення і сум (в хорошому сенсі) бо ця історія закінчилася 💔
𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
Коли Бісін вилавлює в космосі невідому капсулу, знаходить там сплячого чоловіка і щоб йому не було нудно, читає тому спочатку підручники, а потім фейське порно.
Коли Лінь вперше називає Бісіна на імʼя.
«𝘐 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘦»
Старий персидський кіт.
Коли Бісін дізнається що закоханий, просканувавши свій рівень гормонів.
«𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘺 ... 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺? 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥?»
ШІ Чжанлу.
Коли Лінь наказує прибрати все зелене насадження і замість нього посадити гриби на свій мех, бо почув що в дитинстві через хворобу Бісін не міг їх істи.
Елізабет Туран.
«𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳, 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴»
Найсуворіші губи Союзу.
Коли ШІ Чжанлу питає чи повинен він зберегти відео їх першого поцілунку у постійному файлі.
«𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘐𝘴»
Коли Бісін зламує систему захисту у палату Цзінхена щоб посидіти з ним поки той у лікарні, а коли його майже застукав тато - вистрибує з 4 поверху і спускається по канату.
«𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘴𝘪𝘳. 𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺»
Коли ШІ Чжанлу скаржиться Бісіну на те що у нього несправедливий до нього власник, сидячі в одній кімнаті з Лінь Цзінхеном.
«𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮»
«𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 ‘𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧’»
Коли Лу Бісін планує їх спільне життя, сидячи на підлозі у кухні Лінь Цзінхена.
«𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦»
Коли Бісін розповідає друзям що вони з Цзінхеном разом.
«𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝟢𝟢𝟣»
Шістнадцять років.
Коли Бісін каже що боїться смерті бо не може дозволити Ліню пережити те що пережив він.
«𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘦»
my new roman empire ❤️🩹
Найбільшим моїм упередженням було те що я не люблю sci-fi. Люблю так помилятись. Сюжетно цей роман перекриває всі даньмей що я читала. Я наче прожила ціле окреме життя з героями. Тепер відчуваю спустошення і сум (в хорошому сенсі) бо ця історія закінчилася 💔
𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
Коли Бісін вилавлює в космосі невідому капсулу, знаходить там сплячого чоловіка і щоб йому не було нудно, читає тому спочатку підручники, а потім фейське порно.
Коли Лінь вперше називає Бісіна на імʼя.
«𝘐 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘦»
Старий персидський кіт.
Коли Бісін дізнається що закоханий, просканувавши свій рівень гормонів.
«𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘺 ... 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺? 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥?»
ШІ Чжанлу.
Коли Лінь наказує прибрати все зелене насадження і замість нього посадити гриби на свій мех, бо почув що в дитинстві через хворобу Бісін не міг їх істи.
Елізабет Туран.
«𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳, 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴»
Найсуворіші губи Союзу.
Коли ШІ Чжанлу питає чи повинен він зберегти відео їх першого поцілунку у постійному файлі.
«𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘐𝘴»
Коли Бісін зламує систему захисту у палату Цзінхена щоб посидіти з ним поки той у лікарні, а коли його майже застукав тато - вистрибує з 4 поверху і спускається по канату.
«𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘴𝘪𝘳. 𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺»
Коли ШІ Чжанлу скаржиться Бісіну на те що у нього несправедливий до нього власник, сидячі в одній кімнаті з Лінь Цзінхеном.
«𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮»
«𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 ‘𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧’»
Коли Лу Бісін планує їх спільне життя, сидячи на підлозі у кухні Лінь Цзінхена.
«𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦»
Коли Бісін розповідає друзям що вони з Цзінхеном разом.
«𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝟢𝟢𝟣»
Шістнадцять років.
Коли Бісін каже що боїться смерті бо не може дозволити Ліню пережити те що пережив він.
«𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘦»
March 30, 2021
SPACE GAYS SPACE GAYS SPACE GAYS SPACE GAYS
March 26, 2023
"How finite my mortal life is. Yet I am eternal."
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL This is so good! Insane and complex world building, and the romance! The sensible romance! I FUCKING LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT. The last line really fucked me up. Thank you again, Pipi.
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP BANGING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL This is so good! Insane and complex world building, and the romance! The sensible romance! I FUCKING LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT. The last line really fucked me up. Thank you again, Pipi.
February 12, 2025
Masterpiece .
October 25, 2021
What is a masterpiece? THIS is a masterpiece. BEST OF THE BEST. Thank you Priest for such a phenomenal, thrilling, emotional, and beautiful story. You've made the perfect story and i'll never forget😊💖 FULL RTC bc i have still not completely recovered after experiencing the excellency that is within this novel. I'm gonna need a minute to catch my breath and recover from all that awesomeness. I will definitely have a book "hangover" from this one. I can't start a new book because i can't get this out of my head! 😭😭
Amazing space opera? Check
Award winning novel? Check
Space gays? Check
Beautiful writing? Check
Superb worldbuilding? Check
A cast of lovable, Intelligent, unforgettable characters? Check
God tier comedy and angst? Check
Mind blowing philosophical discourses that make you have at least one existential crisis per chapter? Check
What more to ask 🤷♀️
Amazing space opera? Check
Award winning novel? Check
Space gays? Check
Beautiful writing? Check
Superb worldbuilding? Check
A cast of lovable, Intelligent, unforgettable characters? Check
God tier comedy and angst? Check
Mind blowing philosophical discourses that make you have at least one existential crisis per chapter? Check
What more to ask 🤷♀️
January 18, 2022
An absolute masterpiece.
Priest is God.
Priest is God.
August 6, 2025
каждый раз, когда я перестаю делать вид, что люблю читать обычные человеческие книги, я всегда возвращаюсь к Прист, вот это мой дом, моя гавань. уже наизусть знаю, как она пишет, и каждый раз думаю НУ МОЁ. опять эта подруженция насооружала какое-то грандиозное построение вселенной, накидала коллективных и личностных травм в перемешку с абсурдным флиртом между главными персонажами?? заверните, такое мы берем. сначала отборным набором травм фарширует своих персонажей так, что гуманнее было бы пустить их под комбайн, а затем собирает куски их разбитых душ воедино на протяжении 100000 страниц через заботу друг о друге, выматывающие разговоры и принятие решений, которые заново их ретравматизируют, а потом проходить через это снова, снова и СНОВА, до тех пор, пока не станет легче. друзья, не знаю как можно видеть как твои любимыши настолько правдоподобно теряют рассудок в режиме реального времени и не свихнуться за компанию. но когда арка исцеления разгоняется на максималках… вот тут уже рука тянется отменить все свои записи к психотерапевту. я не понимаю до сих пор, как у Прист получается вызывать это ощущение комфорта и безопасности вокруг своих персонажей, но в итоге завёрнутой в одеяло оказываешься ты. возможно это и правда её главная цель — погладить нас всех по голове и сказать что мы важны и нужны сами для себя. как же я её люблю, изобрела литературу заново
March 15, 2022
space gays yes read can ci pin
March 2, 2023
my first 5/5 novel of the year...
sometimes you just need to read space gay boys and it will solve all ur problems.
as always priest the writer you are is just... amaze.
sometimes you just need to read space gay boys and it will solve all ur problems.
as always priest the writer you are is just... amaze.
September 17, 2024
Thank you can ci pin for being the most consistent thing in my life for 5 months.
DISCLAIMER: this review if for THIS TRANSLATION. Maybe I wouldn’t consider the impact of translation as much if there was no hope of getting an official one. While reading, I had to keep reminding myself that a fan translation is a labor of love, and the mere fact of its existence speaks volumes about the original work and its impact. However, in light of the coming official english translation, I’ve decided not to separate my feelings about the translation as much from the contents as I would have otherwise. I unfortunately can only view this work through this singular lens as of right now and I am unfortunately someone who cannot ignore writing style. Please keep this in mind. Thank you.
–
It’s hard to describe what I like about this book. (calm down, hear me out) It goes through many different phases, from hilarious, nonsensical dialogue to societal critique to things that just made me want to cry and throw up and kill myself (in a good way). One of its biggest strengths is its loveable and eccentric characters. The best thing about the translation was honestly how unhinged it was in its character descriptions. It made the characters feel over the top and instantly memorable and distinctive. Even the side characters were recognizable and overall excellently written.
My biggest issue with the translation is unfortunately inescapable. It overall lacked emotion. The funny scenes were really funny, but other emotions were not consistently conveyed very well. There were some lines and short scenes that hit me hard and were very memorable, but most of the parts that I could tell were meant to be emotional fell extremely flat, like there was nothing behind the words.
For example, but I can’t remember if this was ever talked about. If it was, I easily sped past the words because they completely lacked any emotional resonance. Because of this, it felt like there were emotional plot holes, where the character’s emotions that were made to feel important to the story never got addressed in any meaningful way, and this makes me really sad. A lot of the story didn’t seem to carry any of the emotional weight it needed to make an impact, so I treasure those few really powerful parts that I still remember word for word.
All in all, I hope the translator for the official version is as skilled at writing as they are blocking people on twitter!
–
As for the actual plot and themes and stuff:
I really enjoyed how it seemed to be a mix of the classic science fiction tropes/ideas with some subversion of these. I think it’s generally very helpful to have a science fiction background before reading this because it draws on so many classic ideas without fully explaining them.
From the beginning, I was expecting the difference between AIs and humans to be fuzzy and for this in general to be more of a theme, but this didn’t really play out (as even the biochip humans were mostly treated as robots), instead Priest subverted these expectations and put a huge emphasis on humanity and the human spirit at the core of the work.
Additionally, the emphasis on love is something that always gets me in books. Love was the thread that tied all of the plot lines together. Woolf and Ge’er. Monoeye Hawk, Lu Xin, Bixing. Lu Xin and Jingheng. Bixing and Jingheng (obviously). Explaining why Jingshu was the way she was.
In terms of societal critique, I found Eden very interesting. To me, it reminded me both of electronic technology as well as pharmaceuticals. The extreme and almost inhuman emotional regulation part of Eden is a great metaphor for the ever increasing scope of pharmaceuticals and their use to treat normal emotions as well as emotional responses to societal problems. Eden and opium allowed for a great exploration of what it means to be human in the age of technology.
There’s also a quite obvious critique of capitalism, facism, colonialism, modern political systems (and their bureaucratic inner workings) and greed in general. I honestly found myself having to remember that this was written in Chinese, by a Chinese author, because it felt like such a direct critique of American society. I guess that goes to show you the state of the world in general.
I also really adored the parallels between characters, family members, and the cyclical nature of history in general.
–
Can Ci Pin as science fiction:
Um, so it’s complicated. In every sense of the word. I still do not understand most of the scientific world building (though the translation surely did not help). I tend to like my science fiction more generally plausible, explained, and rooted in actual science. There were definitely scientific concepts involved, but they either were not deployed well or not translated well to the point where they felt like they were there to set the mood rather than actually explain the worldbuilding. In this way, it felt more like fantasy science fiction, where the focus is more on humanity and its relationship with technology than the accuracy of the technology. Which is totally fine, it just makes it feel more like fantasy to me, which I wasn’t expecting when I was going into this.
What the fuck is a “superdimensional heavy mech”???????
How are they all speaking the same language? Would dialects not naturally develop?
How tf do the biochips work???
I think Priest thought these things out, but i really had to bs my way through a lot of the technology.
–
Lastly, as much as I love the characters, Jingshu is a major exception. I think you’re meant to hate her? But feel bad for her? Feel bad for Jingheng? I mostly felt annoyed.
Her energy was so strange to the point where she felt like a cartoon character. She was made to be so supremely evil, yet beautiful and cold, and it all was so spelled out that it made it seem so unnatural. As a villain, Woolf was an old man who couldn’t be described in the same way that a young, beautiful woman would be, which made him so much more believable as a character because the same 4 descriptive terms weren’t being thrown in your face. Turan, as the other major female character, is at least meant to be funny, so her femininity isn’t being described in the same way. I understand that Jingshu’s femininity and beauty is meant to be obvious, almost inhuman and was cultivated for her image and survival, but the way it was described was distracting, hilarious, and then just plain annoying. I found it so hard to get through her parts, which is sad because her character is definitely important (not only to the plot itself, but to the messaging as well), but unfortunately most of her scenes were simply insufferable.
(Again, I would like to emphasize the translation as a factor. Maybe Jingshu and her scenes are actually better written, but the fan translators just didn’t know how else to do it!)
–
Ummm there’s a lot more I could say, but I feel like it will be easier to write about more specific things when I read + review the office volumes by themselves. Thank you for reading and dikshya pls dont kys over my silly little 1.3k word review!
Why was i lowkey scared to post this…
I feel lke i should write more but lowkey how did i write so much when i already updated every single percent (3% and after)...
DISCLAIMER: this review if for THIS TRANSLATION. Maybe I wouldn’t consider the impact of translation as much if there was no hope of getting an official one. While reading, I had to keep reminding myself that a fan translation is a labor of love, and the mere fact of its existence speaks volumes about the original work and its impact. However, in light of the coming official english translation, I’ve decided not to separate my feelings about the translation as much from the contents as I would have otherwise. I unfortunately can only view this work through this singular lens as of right now and I am unfortunately someone who cannot ignore writing style. Please keep this in mind. Thank you.
–
It’s hard to describe what I like about this book. (calm down, hear me out) It goes through many different phases, from hilarious, nonsensical dialogue to societal critique to things that just made me want to cry and throw up and kill myself (in a good way). One of its biggest strengths is its loveable and eccentric characters. The best thing about the translation was honestly how unhinged it was in its character descriptions. It made the characters feel over the top and instantly memorable and distinctive. Even the side characters were recognizable and overall excellently written.
My biggest issue with the translation is unfortunately inescapable. It overall lacked emotion. The funny scenes were really funny, but other emotions were not consistently conveyed very well. There were some lines and short scenes that hit me hard and were very memorable, but most of the parts that I could tell were meant to be emotional fell extremely flat, like there was nothing behind the words.
For example, but I can’t remember if this was ever talked about. If it was, I easily sped past the words because they completely lacked any emotional resonance. Because of this, it felt like there were emotional plot holes, where the character’s emotions that were made to feel important to the story never got addressed in any meaningful way, and this makes me really sad. A lot of the story didn’t seem to carry any of the emotional weight it needed to make an impact, so I treasure those few really powerful parts that I still remember word for word.
All in all, I hope the translator for the official version is as skilled at writing as they are blocking people on twitter!
–
As for the actual plot and themes and stuff:
I really enjoyed how it seemed to be a mix of the classic science fiction tropes/ideas with some subversion of these. I think it’s generally very helpful to have a science fiction background before reading this because it draws on so many classic ideas without fully explaining them.
From the beginning, I was expecting the difference between AIs and humans to be fuzzy and for this in general to be more of a theme, but this didn’t really play out (as even the biochip humans were mostly treated as robots), instead Priest subverted these expectations and put a huge emphasis on humanity and the human spirit at the core of the work.
Additionally, the emphasis on love is something that always gets me in books. Love was the thread that tied all of the plot lines together. Woolf and Ge’er. Monoeye Hawk, Lu Xin, Bixing. Lu Xin and Jingheng. Bixing and Jingheng (obviously). Explaining why Jingshu was the way she was.
In terms of societal critique, I found Eden very interesting. To me, it reminded me both of electronic technology as well as pharmaceuticals. The extreme and almost inhuman emotional regulation part of Eden is a great metaphor for the ever increasing scope of pharmaceuticals and their use to treat normal emotions as well as emotional responses to societal problems. Eden and opium allowed for a great exploration of what it means to be human in the age of technology.
There’s also a quite obvious critique of capitalism, facism, colonialism, modern political systems (and their bureaucratic inner workings) and greed in general. I honestly found myself having to remember that this was written in Chinese, by a Chinese author, because it felt like such a direct critique of American society. I guess that goes to show you the state of the world in general.
I also really adored the parallels between characters, family members, and the cyclical nature of history in general.
–
Can Ci Pin as science fiction:
Um, so it’s complicated. In every sense of the word. I still do not understand most of the scientific world building (though the translation surely did not help). I tend to like my science fiction more generally plausible, explained, and rooted in actual science. There were definitely scientific concepts involved, but they either were not deployed well or not translated well to the point where they felt like they were there to set the mood rather than actually explain the worldbuilding. In this way, it felt more like fantasy science fiction, where the focus is more on humanity and its relationship with technology than the accuracy of the technology. Which is totally fine, it just makes it feel more like fantasy to me, which I wasn’t expecting when I was going into this.
What the fuck is a “superdimensional heavy mech”???????
How are they all speaking the same language? Would dialects not naturally develop?
How tf do the biochips work???
I think Priest thought these things out, but i really had to bs my way through a lot of the technology.
–
Lastly, as much as I love the characters, Jingshu is a major exception. I think you’re meant to hate her? But feel bad for her? Feel bad for Jingheng? I mostly felt annoyed.
Her energy was so strange to the point where she felt like a cartoon character. She was made to be so supremely evil, yet beautiful and cold, and it all was so spelled out that it made it seem so unnatural. As a villain, Woolf was an old man who couldn’t be described in the same way that a young, beautiful woman would be, which made him so much more believable as a character because the same 4 descriptive terms weren’t being thrown in your face. Turan, as the other major female character, is at least meant to be funny, so her femininity isn’t being described in the same way. I understand that Jingshu’s femininity and beauty is meant to be obvious, almost inhuman and was cultivated for her image and survival, but the way it was described was distracting, hilarious, and then just plain annoying. I found it so hard to get through her parts, which is sad because her character is definitely important (not only to the plot itself, but to the messaging as well), but unfortunately most of her scenes were simply insufferable.
(Again, I would like to emphasize the translation as a factor. Maybe Jingshu and her scenes are actually better written, but the fan translators just didn’t know how else to do it!)
–
Ummm there’s a lot more I could say, but I feel like it will be easier to write about more specific things when I read + review the office volumes by themselves. Thank you for reading and dikshya pls dont kys over my silly little 1.3k word review!
Why was i lowkey scared to post this…
I feel lke i should write more but lowkey how did i write so much when i already updated every single percent (3% and after)...
August 3, 2023
Muchos años se pasaron y la humanidad abandonó la vida en un planeta demasiado pequeño para tanta gente, viajaron al espacio y conquistaron esas enormes galaxias tan lejanas. Pero el hombre sigue siendo hombre y el poder sigue siendo poder, y algunas cosas son inamovibles del ser humano. El poder es una de ellas. Con una construcción del universo muy bien hecha, la autora se adueña de la creación de este espacio intergaláctico y crea sus propias reglas, sin perder la mano de las leyes espaciales ya establecidas; la trama política y militar fue muy bien abordada, dejando en claro que lo militar y lo político ni siempre va por el mismo camino. Hubo momentos muy emocionantes, que me sacaron sonrisas y lágrimas. Sin embargo, no puedo evitar este sentimiento de decepción que me dejó está lectura y uno de sus principales motivos fue Lin Jingshu, la villana de la historia: cuando empezó a demostrar su rechazo al sistema Edén y deseos de venganza por lo que le sucedió a Lin Jingheng, pensé que se volvería una pirata intergaláctica que destruiría el sistema Edén (que lo hizo) y lucharía por la libertad, tal vez de un modo un tanto cruel pero que no se volvería como sus victimarios. Pero, oh, que decepción. No solo creo una nueva versión del sistema Edén si no que también creo una sistema jerárquico completamente abusivo, más que subordinados lo que quería era robots. Que la evolución humana y todas esas cosas, pero siguió perpetuando lo mismo que esa gente le hizo. Paso de víctima a victimaria. Y sus discursos eran tan clichés que eran aburridos de leer, no había algo que me hiciera decir "¡Maldición, está mujer es la perra mala!". Lo que dije fue "¿De verdad? ¿Eso es todo lo que puedes dar?".
El climax de la trama del último arco fue decepcionante: la muerte de Lin Jingshu fue insignificante, en un momento estaba en la nave y en el segundo siguiente estaba muerta. Pensé que era el final más triste que una villana puede tener. La revelación sobre el biochip de Lu Bixing me hizo sudar frío ya que tenía miedo de que perdiera todo lo que logro en la Octava Galaxia, (por suerte no fue así) pero después de dos capítulos la emoción descendió mucho, estaba en los últimos 10 capitulos y no había una resolución en la batalla, las letras iban pasando y al final solo pensaba "¿cuando va a terminar?".
El desarrollo del romance se me hizo muy lindo y consistente, pero siento que esos 16 años que quedaron separados causo una ruptura en mi modo de ver su relación después de eso. Pienso que hubo un buen crecimiento en Lu Bixing y puedo ver qué cambió mucho en esos 16 años, en cambio no logro ver lo mismo en Lin Jingheng, quien sigue siendo el mismo del primer capítulo. El sentimiento que tengo es un poco amargo. Creo que sí en vez de dedicar tanto tiempo en los extras a contar historias pasadas de personajes (que estoy segura) nadie tenía interés en saber, hubiera puesto las escenas de la pareja principal tal vez no tendría este sentimiento tan desagradable.
No fue una mala novela, es solo que para mí una novela se trata de granitos de arena. A cada capítulo se van acumulando diferentes granitos de arena que simbolizan un sentimiento que dejó la historia e infelizmente, la mayoría de los granitos de Can Ci Pin son de decepción. Porque de eso trata, mis expectativas fueron frustradas, anuladas, destruidas.
El climax de la trama del último arco fue decepcionante: la muerte de Lin Jingshu fue insignificante, en un momento estaba en la nave y en el segundo siguiente estaba muerta. Pensé que era el final más triste que una villana puede tener. La revelación sobre el biochip de Lu Bixing me hizo sudar frío ya que tenía miedo de que perdiera todo lo que logro en la Octava Galaxia, (por suerte no fue así) pero después de dos capítulos la emoción descendió mucho, estaba en los últimos 10 capitulos y no había una resolución en la batalla, las letras iban pasando y al final solo pensaba "¿cuando va a terminar?".
El desarrollo del romance se me hizo muy lindo y consistente, pero siento que esos 16 años que quedaron separados causo una ruptura en mi modo de ver su relación después de eso. Pienso que hubo un buen crecimiento en Lu Bixing y puedo ver qué cambió mucho en esos 16 años, en cambio no logro ver lo mismo en Lin Jingheng, quien sigue siendo el mismo del primer capítulo. El sentimiento que tengo es un poco amargo. Creo que sí en vez de dedicar tanto tiempo en los extras a contar historias pasadas de personajes (que estoy segura) nadie tenía interés en saber, hubiera puesto las escenas de la pareja principal tal vez no tendría este sentimiento tan desagradable.
No fue una mala novela, es solo que para mí una novela se trata de granitos de arena. A cada capítulo se van acumulando diferentes granitos de arena que simbolizan un sentimiento que dejó la historia e infelizmente, la mayoría de los granitos de Can Ci Pin son de decepción. Porque de eso trata, mis expectativas fueron frustradas, anuladas, destruidas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
"In my soul, the brilliant, monumental civilizations and history of man crystallized from the dawn of creation until today.
How finite my mortal life is.
Yet I am eternal."
I want to preface this by saying that I usually don’t read sci-fi novels, it’s a genre I’ve barely explored, so my thoughts might seem a bit all over the place. However, Priest can apparently make me appreciate every genre, so buckle up for this mess.
Even after finishing this novel I don’t think I’ve truly comprehended the extend of the world Priest built, this might just come from the boundless and uncharted nature of space and the universe as a whole, but there is so much thought behind every character, every planet and every action it left me speechless.
Slowly discovering this world throughout the eyes of the characters felt like slowly falling in love with it and the people around you, and also watching things change, tragedy strike and the consequences of these happenings. Especially through Lin Jingheng’s character arc this was very apparent, seeing his cold exterior slowly chip away to reveal his caring and protective nature as he found a home in the Eighth Galaxy and Lu Bixing was incredible.
On the note of Lu Bixing, I don’t think the development of a character ever affected me as much as his, not only because you could witness his slow descent into ‘madness’, but also because you could see how grief fundamentally changed him as a person throughout the years. When first introduced to him you experience him as this incredibly passionate person, with a goal to improve people’s lives to the best of his ability, and he does, with his passion he ignites a fire in the people around him like no one else. But seeing his passion slowly fade away under all of the tragedy he had to witness, losing the closest people to him and then having to take on so much responsibility broke me. He practically turned into the person Lin Jingheng used to be.
The dynamic between him and Lin Jingheng shifted significantly after their reunion, before it was always Lu Bixing who had to reach out to Lin Jingheng, but from that point it was Lu Bixing who needed reassurance to heal from his own trauma and see how much people genuinely believe in him. He always had so much faith in others, especially Lin Jingheng, and now it was time for Lin Jingheng to believe in him. His process of healing still makes me want to cry!
I also really enjoyed Priest’s references to different classics in this, it really gave the world, and antagonists specifically, much more depth. So that you could further emphasise with their viewpoints to a certain extend, see why they turned out the way they did, but still acknowledge how, at the end of the day, ended up on the wrong path. (Lin Jingshu especially was such an interesting character!!!)
And all of the philosophy behind the different viewpoints of characters, their morals, convictions and goals, I feel like I have to collect my thoughts more on this aspect, but I’ve always been a fan behind the discussion of what freedom actually means to humanity and how our own inventions affect the fate of society as a whole!
There’s so much more I could say, but I’m going to end it here because otherwise I will just write an entire essay. As you can hopefully tell, I really enjoyed reading this novel!!
How finite my mortal life is.
Yet I am eternal."
I want to preface this by saying that I usually don’t read sci-fi novels, it’s a genre I’ve barely explored, so my thoughts might seem a bit all over the place. However, Priest can apparently make me appreciate every genre, so buckle up for this mess.
Even after finishing this novel I don’t think I’ve truly comprehended the extend of the world Priest built, this might just come from the boundless and uncharted nature of space and the universe as a whole, but there is so much thought behind every character, every planet and every action it left me speechless.
Slowly discovering this world throughout the eyes of the characters felt like slowly falling in love with it and the people around you, and also watching things change, tragedy strike and the consequences of these happenings. Especially through Lin Jingheng’s character arc this was very apparent, seeing his cold exterior slowly chip away to reveal his caring and protective nature as he found a home in the Eighth Galaxy and Lu Bixing was incredible.
On the note of Lu Bixing, I don’t think the development of a character ever affected me as much as his, not only because you could witness his slow descent into ‘madness’, but also because you could see how grief fundamentally changed him as a person throughout the years. When first introduced to him you experience him as this incredibly passionate person, with a goal to improve people’s lives to the best of his ability, and he does, with his passion he ignites a fire in the people around him like no one else. But seeing his passion slowly fade away under all of the tragedy he had to witness, losing the closest people to him and then having to take on so much responsibility broke me. He practically turned into the person Lin Jingheng used to be.
The dynamic between him and Lin Jingheng shifted significantly after their reunion, before it was always Lu Bixing who had to reach out to Lin Jingheng, but from that point it was Lu Bixing who needed reassurance to heal from his own trauma and see how much people genuinely believe in him. He always had so much faith in others, especially Lin Jingheng, and now it was time for Lin Jingheng to believe in him. His process of healing still makes me want to cry!
I also really enjoyed Priest’s references to different classics in this, it really gave the world, and antagonists specifically, much more depth. So that you could further emphasise with their viewpoints to a certain extend, see why they turned out the way they did, but still acknowledge how, at the end of the day, ended up on the wrong path. (Lin Jingshu especially was such an interesting character!!!)
And all of the philosophy behind the different viewpoints of characters, their morals, convictions and goals, I feel like I have to collect my thoughts more on this aspect, but I’ve always been a fan behind the discussion of what freedom actually means to humanity and how our own inventions affect the fate of society as a whole!
There’s so much more I could say, but I’m going to end it here because otherwise I will just write an entire essay. As you can hopefully tell, I really enjoyed reading this novel!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
Voy a extrañar a LuLin. ;w;
April 7, 2021
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
—— Dickens《A Tale of Two Cities》
I took my hatred and plot for revenge with me down the mire, to the depths of the abyss, and returned as a ghost of the past. I want to plant the seeds of the rotten truth, nourish their deadly thorns with fresh blood so that they grow and pierce through this civilization built on lies.
I reached the bottom of the abyss…only to find a shining star.”
*scroll to the bottom of my review for an english translation of the synopsis of the novel since the one on here is in mandarin*
4.5 out of 5. out of all the priest novels i’ve read this is my third favorite. i liked sha po lang and mo du more but this was still reallllly well done. i don’t think priest is capable of writing a bad novel. it had action but the action was very much like war type battles which is why i think i didn’t give this a five. i prefer action scenes in like physical fighting opposed to a mech shooting another mech.. some of the science and machine explanations i found confusing but i think i just genuinely wasn’t smart enough to fully comprehend i don’t think it was like the author failing to explain it well.
i recommend it. the synopsis is in chinese so i will add the english synopsis here:
“Who will be the one to bury mankind, Orwell or Huxley? No need to give your answer so quick. Let's read a story first.
When Lu Bixing, a hipster from the Eighth Galaxy, fell in love with a gangster called B4, he didn't know that his darling muffin was Commodore Lin Jingheng, the commander of Silver Fortress. As they knew each other further, the world changed dramatically: Interstellar pirates invaded the Interstellar Union. The nasty secrets about Eden emerged in front of them. Lu's pedigree was found to be unbelievably mysterious.
But all they wanted was each other, no matter how peculiar the world was around them.
In a sentence, it's a story about conspiracies and murders, gentlemen and villains, love and hatred.
Coming back to the question, the answer is: "Humans are born from belief, die of belief, and reborn from the ashes of belief." "
—— Dickens《A Tale of Two Cities》
I took my hatred and plot for revenge with me down the mire, to the depths of the abyss, and returned as a ghost of the past. I want to plant the seeds of the rotten truth, nourish their deadly thorns with fresh blood so that they grow and pierce through this civilization built on lies.
I reached the bottom of the abyss…only to find a shining star.”
*scroll to the bottom of my review for an english translation of the synopsis of the novel since the one on here is in mandarin*
4.5 out of 5. out of all the priest novels i’ve read this is my third favorite. i liked sha po lang and mo du more but this was still reallllly well done. i don’t think priest is capable of writing a bad novel. it had action but the action was very much like war type battles which is why i think i didn’t give this a five. i prefer action scenes in like physical fighting opposed to a mech shooting another mech.. some of the science and machine explanations i found confusing but i think i just genuinely wasn’t smart enough to fully comprehend i don’t think it was like the author failing to explain it well.
i recommend it. the synopsis is in chinese so i will add the english synopsis here:
“Who will be the one to bury mankind, Orwell or Huxley? No need to give your answer so quick. Let's read a story first.
When Lu Bixing, a hipster from the Eighth Galaxy, fell in love with a gangster called B4, he didn't know that his darling muffin was Commodore Lin Jingheng, the commander of Silver Fortress. As they knew each other further, the world changed dramatically: Interstellar pirates invaded the Interstellar Union. The nasty secrets about Eden emerged in front of them. Lu's pedigree was found to be unbelievably mysterious.
But all they wanted was each other, no matter how peculiar the world was around them.
In a sentence, it's a story about conspiracies and murders, gentlemen and villains, love and hatred.
Coming back to the question, the answer is: "Humans are born from belief, die of belief, and reborn from the ashes of belief." "
dnf
February 25, 2024DNF'ed at 18%. I tried my best with this one, but I just found it boring - it felt like nothing was happening most of the time. I can't even blame the translation for this one
April 19, 2023
Another solid 5-star 🌟 for Priest! This award- winning, sci-fi masterpiece absolutely deserved the hype. I genuinely enjoyed reading this novel and I believe that everybody else better have a chance to read it and try it out for themselves!
Trigger Warnings:
* Violence
* Death
* Human experimentation
* War
* Pandemics
* Age gaps? Idk man people live up until 300 years in this book so 15 years seem like nothing.
In NSC (New Sidereal Calendar) 270, the Eden system dominates every aspect of modern human society. From youth, knowledge is installed into a child’s brain which gives everybody equal advantage and opportunity. Aside from this, there are no negative emotions within this system, as it adjusts humans’ hormone levels in times of distress. In short, people live in a utopia of no suffering- sounds perfect, huh?
This is true for first seven galaxies of the Union, except for the Eigth Galaxy. In the story, the Eighth Galaxy is described as a dilapidated slum entrenched in crime, vice, and is wholly underdeveloped. Eden does not exist in this system and they are considered to be the lowest of the low as 1/5 of their population consists of vaccuocerebrals (people whose brainwaves are incompatible with connecting to machine systems, including Eden).
In Beijing-β, a wintry planet in this galaxy, we meet Lu Bixing, an aspiring young headmaster with dreams of imparting his knowledge of technology to the youth. Despite obstacles and the lack of inclination of the younger generation, he persists in making education accessible for others. His school is barely hanging by a thread, only sustained by the mysterious benefactor “Sige” (四哥, 4th brother), a gangster and the head of the planet’s leading mafia organization. But, is Sige really who he seems? What implications would this have for the future?
Hint: his name is actually Lin Jingheng and he’s the ex-commander of the Silver Fortress of the First Galaxy.
I wouldn’t want to spoil further so I’ll leave it at that.
So what’s the deal? This was marketed to me as “space pirate gays kick ass and save the galaxy”, but I believe that a more appropriate description would be “main characters get swept up in intergalactic conspiracy and armed conflict, and oh they’re also homosexual”, but then that wouldn’t sound as compelling, would it?
I truly loved the plot twists that came with this story. For me, the conspiracies within the novel were fascinating to take apart. Aside from that, I love how Priest was able to lay out and effectively maintain a steady progression of the plot, making believable twists that were supported by occurences from previous chapters. The whole politics behind the Union were quite confusing to follow, but it’s not that bad. The space battles were really heated tho and I appreciate how the novel illustrated the impact of war on society. The writing was beautiful, with humorous quips that I found entertaining.
The characters in the novel are truly lovable and unforgettable. The main character of the novel, Lin Jingheng, has a brash and dominating personality. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t budge for others, headstrong in his ideals. Arrogant, yes, but he has the skill and experience to back it up. Lu Bixing is a sweetheart and would always give effort in cheering up others despite seemingly insurmountable odds. His optimism is heartwarming- he truly is the kind of character you’d want to give the whole universe to. Aside from this, the supporting characters such as Monoeyed Hawk and Elizabeth Turan truly left an imprint on me. Beyond the plot, what also made this novel shine was the relationships between the characters. Sometimes you truly wanted to hug each of them as you uncovered their backstories (or in some cases, scream at them).
As for the main couple- holy heck I didn’t expect to be THIS invested lmao. I’m a #certifiedLuLinshipper, baby! As with most Priest CPs (see Sha Po Lang, Mo Du), the main couple have a history together, which makes their dynamic all the more compelling as you uncover the ties which bind them. Beyond that, I like how their relationship matured- they grew together as people, they changed as the years went by, yet despite the odds, they found a way to make it work, and I am just soft for that.
Their relationship has its ups and downs, but ultimately, they just work. Their personalities complement each other well, and they inspire each other. If that isn’t a healthy relationship, then idk what is. Their dynamic is very funny, with Lin Jingheng being a emotionally constipated tsundere and Lu Bixing being the playful, flirty, and persistent guy that he is. They’re just- so soft! There are many moments in the novel that I took a breather to coo at them lol. Intergalactic war and conflict is stressful af, and I was glad that they had each each other- I was glad that all these characters had each other.
Don’t get me wrong tho there’s a heck ton of angst. I almost cried too. This novel is a rollercoaster of emotions, and that was an exciting ride!
Overall I would reccomend this novel first for its plot, and second for the gay. Space pirate gays kick ass and save the galaxy for the win!
__________________
"Two years ago, I wouldn't have told you anything if I wanted to leave. Now, as long as you're here,
I won't leave.”
Solid 5 stars 🌟
Trigger Warnings:
* Violence
* Death
* Human experimentation
* War
* Pandemics
* Age gaps? Idk man people live up until 300 years in this book so 15 years seem like nothing.
In NSC (New Sidereal Calendar) 270, the Eden system dominates every aspect of modern human society. From youth, knowledge is installed into a child’s brain which gives everybody equal advantage and opportunity. Aside from this, there are no negative emotions within this system, as it adjusts humans’ hormone levels in times of distress. In short, people live in a utopia of no suffering- sounds perfect, huh?
This is true for first seven galaxies of the Union, except for the Eigth Galaxy. In the story, the Eighth Galaxy is described as a dilapidated slum entrenched in crime, vice, and is wholly underdeveloped. Eden does not exist in this system and they are considered to be the lowest of the low as 1/5 of their population consists of vaccuocerebrals (people whose brainwaves are incompatible with connecting to machine systems, including Eden).
In Beijing-β, a wintry planet in this galaxy, we meet Lu Bixing, an aspiring young headmaster with dreams of imparting his knowledge of technology to the youth. Despite obstacles and the lack of inclination of the younger generation, he persists in making education accessible for others. His school is barely hanging by a thread, only sustained by the mysterious benefactor “Sige” (四哥, 4th brother), a gangster and the head of the planet’s leading mafia organization. But, is Sige really who he seems? What implications would this have for the future?
Hint: his name is actually Lin Jingheng and he’s the ex-commander of the Silver Fortress of the First Galaxy.
I wouldn’t want to spoil further so I’ll leave it at that.
So what’s the deal? This was marketed to me as “space pirate gays kick ass and save the galaxy”, but I believe that a more appropriate description would be “main characters get swept up in intergalactic conspiracy and armed conflict, and oh they’re also homosexual”, but then that wouldn’t sound as compelling, would it?
I truly loved the plot twists that came with this story. For me, the conspiracies within the novel were fascinating to take apart. Aside from that, I love how Priest was able to lay out and effectively maintain a steady progression of the plot, making believable twists that were supported by occurences from previous chapters. The whole politics behind the Union were quite confusing to follow, but it’s not that bad. The space battles were really heated tho and I appreciate how the novel illustrated the impact of war on society. The writing was beautiful, with humorous quips that I found entertaining.
The characters in the novel are truly lovable and unforgettable. The main character of the novel, Lin Jingheng, has a brash and dominating personality. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t budge for others, headstrong in his ideals. Arrogant, yes, but he has the skill and experience to back it up. Lu Bixing is a sweetheart and would always give effort in cheering up others despite seemingly insurmountable odds. His optimism is heartwarming- he truly is the kind of character you’d want to give the whole universe to. Aside from this, the supporting characters such as Monoeyed Hawk and Elizabeth Turan truly left an imprint on me. Beyond the plot, what also made this novel shine was the relationships between the characters. Sometimes you truly wanted to hug each of them as you uncovered their backstories (or in some cases, scream at them).
As for the main couple- holy heck I didn’t expect to be THIS invested lmao. I’m a #certifiedLuLinshipper, baby! As with most Priest CPs (see Sha Po Lang, Mo Du), the main couple have a history together, which makes their dynamic all the more compelling as you uncover the ties which bind them. Beyond that, I like how their relationship matured- they grew together as people, they changed as the years went by, yet despite the odds, they found a way to make it work, and I am just soft for that.
Their relationship has its ups and downs, but ultimately, they just work. Their personalities complement each other well, and they inspire each other. If that isn’t a healthy relationship, then idk what is. Their dynamic is very funny, with Lin Jingheng being a emotionally constipated tsundere and Lu Bixing being the playful, flirty, and persistent guy that he is. They’re just- so soft! There are many moments in the novel that I took a breather to coo at them lol. Intergalactic war and conflict is stressful af, and I was glad that they had each each other- I was glad that all these characters had each other.
Don’t get me wrong tho there’s a heck ton of angst. I almost cried too. This novel is a rollercoaster of emotions, and that was an exciting ride!
Overall I would reccomend this novel first for its plot, and second for the gay. Space pirate gays kick ass and save the galaxy for the win!
__________________
"Two years ago, I wouldn't have told you anything if I wanted to leave. Now, as long as you're here,
I won't leave.”
Solid 5 stars 🌟
December 12, 2021
I'M DONEEEEEE [CROWD CHEERS]
okay so goodreads says this book is 1.5k pages but it definitely felt WAY WAY WAY LONGER ???
anyway, wow. this was a real rollercoaster from start to finish. so many plot twists, and a really cool world-building concept that i felt too small brain to understand most of the time, but still REALLY AWESOME.
i had a hard time getting into the book at first, but i was invested by book 2. there's just so much that happens and i can't even believe the beginning of the book even existed bc it seems like so long ago shdfhsdhf
the character development in this book is phenomenal. i really loved seeing lin jingheng and lu bixing both grow and change and MATURE and it was all perfect. also, their relationship growth was SO. SO. SO GOOD !!!!!! i'm going to scream about it forever because their conflicts with each other would only bring them closer and i'm just <3 <3 <3 <3
although i did skim some parts of the book bc the details would just get too much sometimes for my pea brain, it was still an amazing book from start to finish <3
okay so goodreads says this book is 1.5k pages but it definitely felt WAY WAY WAY LONGER ???
anyway, wow. this was a real rollercoaster from start to finish. so many plot twists, and a really cool world-building concept that i felt too small brain to understand most of the time, but still REALLY AWESOME.
i had a hard time getting into the book at first, but i was invested by book 2. there's just so much that happens and i can't even believe the beginning of the book even existed bc it seems like so long ago shdfhsdhf
the character development in this book is phenomenal. i really loved seeing lin jingheng and lu bixing both grow and change and MATURE and it was all perfect. also, their relationship growth was SO. SO. SO GOOD !!!!!! i'm going to scream about it forever because their conflicts with each other would only bring them closer and i'm just <3 <3 <3 <3
although i did skim some parts of the book bc the details would just get too much sometimes for my pea brain, it was still an amazing book from start to finish <3
August 8, 2021
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book but here I am one month later crying because it's such a beautiful story 😭 the characters are amazing and every plot twist is so well done. Happy this was my first priest novel, can't wait to read more of her work
December 5, 2022
This book absolutely gutted me midway and then slowly healed me by the end.
December 10, 2022
I wanted to give this a 4/5, but I ultimately have to settle on a 3/5 ... but more like a 3.5/5. I enjoyed reading this, don't get me wrong — there were instances where I spent 3 hours just speeding through the chapters, but the last two books took me forever to get through. It was fun, but don't ask me what happened in this story, because I couldn't tell you.
My reviews are entirely for myself to look back on and are also entirely based on my personal enjoyment level. In no way am I trying to be some superior art critic and judge whether something is good or bad. So, with that said, let me first start off with what I enjoyed.
What I Enjoyed
1. Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng are ideal main characters for a story. As individuals, they have very clear personalities that are easy to like from a reader's perspective. None of the sarcasm or bluntness from Jingheng ever comes across are actually cruel. I really admire that when it comes to how Priest wrote him, because it could be so easy to make him unlikeable, but she did the complete opposite. And Lu Bixing is just a lovable little shit.
As a team, the pair have such an enjoyable dynamic. It really is the definition of opposites attract — as well as literally "Ooh, you want to kiss me so bad." They are a very pure couple who sincerely love each other, going on a realistic emotional journey as they navigate their relationship within this made-up universe. The way they come together is super natural (and actually far earlier than I thought? I assumed there would be an extremely long slow-burn, but we got something different — only because we got a different form of angst later on, ugh). As a couple, they were separated from each other during part of the story and when they came back together, there was such a realistic aftermath that I really appreciated. It was just done so well.
2. The morality concepts within this story. However, there was so much of it that I can't even remember enough to explain further. You just gotta read it yourself.
3. The use of metaphors, similes, and analogies. This plays into what I didn't like about the story, which I'll mention later, but the good part is that because there are many battle scenes that utilize a lot of tech-related fighting within the vacuum of space, Priest utilizes very specific metaphor, similes, and analogies to explain the scenes with easy-to-understand language.
4. The prose (something I also didn't enjoy at the same time). It read like I was reading an oral tale transcribed onto paper. I think that's a typical trait of c-novels, at least from what I've read so far. It's a very different style of writing from western authors, and I find that I really admire it for its difference. It's not overly descriptive, but genuinely more like you're ready some old fairytale being told to you. This feeling is strong also because we have an omnipresent narrator, which I personally really enjoy and so rarely get to experience in western novels.
What I Didn't Enjoy
1. The battle scenes. There are so many. I mean, practically a third of this book is just very long-winded battle scenes between "mechs", or fighter spaceships, using things like particle cannons and blowing up transfer portals and ... yeah. For the LIFE of me, I couldn't envision any of these scenes in my head. They were just bare words on the screen that I skimmed over, because how many times can you write a space battle scene without all of them sounding the same? Stakes were different each time, but the formula for each one was pretty much the same.
2. The length of this book all-together. It did not need to be 197+ chapters. I understand that c-novels are often very long like this, with multiple arcs similar to how western TV shows have multiple seasons making up one ultimate story, but every "arc" was just a different slew of battle scenes.
I found that I was far more invested in this story when I was reading literally anything that wasn't a battle scene. My favorite part of this book was actually the middle during its most depressing, angsty time, because that all just felt more "human" to me. Less technical. You don't need to know anything about tech to read this, but be prepared for real sci-fi scenes and language.
I don't know, I think that the last two "books" dragged this story on. Every time a conflict was resolved, a new one popped up and I'd think, "...Really? We're not done yet?" It's why I took forever reading the last bit of this story.
3. The prose. For the same reason why I liked it, it's the same reason why I didn't. I wish some scenes had more descriptions of environments and what characters looked like, because like I mentioned above, it was so difficult to picture many of the scenes happening.
Overall, this was a monster of a story and difficult for me to get through. For my own comparison, I read a book as long as TGCF in 9 or 10 days whereas this one took me 6 weeks. I wish it had less battle scenes, but I really enjoyed everything else. However, I'm ultimately more neutral on this one, thus my 3 stars.
My reviews are entirely for myself to look back on and are also entirely based on my personal enjoyment level. In no way am I trying to be some superior art critic and judge whether something is good or bad. So, with that said, let me first start off with what I enjoyed.
What I Enjoyed
1. Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng are ideal main characters for a story. As individuals, they have very clear personalities that are easy to like from a reader's perspective. None of the sarcasm or bluntness from Jingheng ever comes across are actually cruel. I really admire that when it comes to how Priest wrote him, because it could be so easy to make him unlikeable, but she did the complete opposite. And Lu Bixing is just a lovable little shit.
As a team, the pair have such an enjoyable dynamic. It really is the definition of opposites attract — as well as literally "Ooh, you want to kiss me so bad." They are a very pure couple who sincerely love each other, going on a realistic emotional journey as they navigate their relationship within this made-up universe. The way they come together is super natural (and actually far earlier than I thought? I assumed there would be an extremely long slow-burn, but we got something different — only because we got a different form of angst later on, ugh). As a couple, they were separated from each other during part of the story and when they came back together, there was such a realistic aftermath that I really appreciated. It was just done so well.
2. The morality concepts within this story. However, there was so much of it that I can't even remember enough to explain further. You just gotta read it yourself.
3. The use of metaphors, similes, and analogies. This plays into what I didn't like about the story, which I'll mention later, but the good part is that because there are many battle scenes that utilize a lot of tech-related fighting within the vacuum of space, Priest utilizes very specific metaphor, similes, and analogies to explain the scenes with easy-to-understand language.
4. The prose (something I also didn't enjoy at the same time). It read like I was reading an oral tale transcribed onto paper. I think that's a typical trait of c-novels, at least from what I've read so far. It's a very different style of writing from western authors, and I find that I really admire it for its difference. It's not overly descriptive, but genuinely more like you're ready some old fairytale being told to you. This feeling is strong also because we have an omnipresent narrator, which I personally really enjoy and so rarely get to experience in western novels.
What I Didn't Enjoy
1. The battle scenes. There are so many. I mean, practically a third of this book is just very long-winded battle scenes between "mechs", or fighter spaceships, using things like particle cannons and blowing up transfer portals and ... yeah. For the LIFE of me, I couldn't envision any of these scenes in my head. They were just bare words on the screen that I skimmed over, because how many times can you write a space battle scene without all of them sounding the same? Stakes were different each time, but the formula for each one was pretty much the same.
2. The length of this book all-together. It did not need to be 197+ chapters. I understand that c-novels are often very long like this, with multiple arcs similar to how western TV shows have multiple seasons making up one ultimate story, but every "arc" was just a different slew of battle scenes.
I found that I was far more invested in this story when I was reading literally anything that wasn't a battle scene. My favorite part of this book was actually the middle during its most depressing, angsty time, because that all just felt more "human" to me. Less technical. You don't need to know anything about tech to read this, but be prepared for real sci-fi scenes and language.
I don't know, I think that the last two "books" dragged this story on. Every time a conflict was resolved, a new one popped up and I'd think, "...Really? We're not done yet?" It's why I took forever reading the last bit of this story.
3. The prose. For the same reason why I liked it, it's the same reason why I didn't. I wish some scenes had more descriptions of environments and what characters looked like, because like I mentioned above, it was so difficult to picture many of the scenes happening.
Overall, this was a monster of a story and difficult for me to get through. For my own comparison, I read a book as long as TGCF in 9 or 10 days whereas this one took me 6 weeks. I wish it had less battle scenes, but I really enjoyed everything else. However, I'm ultimately more neutral on this one, thus my 3 stars.
January 7, 2022
This is a story that touched my heart in many ways. I feel that the 5* rating might be misleading because on the one hand this story deserves the whole billion stars as a rating but, at the same time, to my eyes, it's not a story without its imperfections -- heh! -- and I am torn.
* * SOME SPOILERS AHEAD* *
To preface this probably too long review I should mention I read this over the span of 1 week, I was completely engrossed and finished the last chapter past midnight on a Sunday night. So, perhaps, my analysis lacks some perspective. That said, I feel it's better we get the bad out of the way first, especially because it's (sadly?) what's fresher in my memory: the end.
Now there's 2 main elements to the ultimate conflict :
1. The battle / mission itself
To my eyes, this is okay as a premise and takes the reader along for a grand final ride. After lulling us into a sense of fragile calm, the equilibrium is broken and a final last showdown is underway.
I think it works both as a "final battle of wits" (Woolf vs Jingheng) and "raw power" (humanity vs fully autonomous AI). It also makes sense story-wise as the core problem of all the past confrontations had its root on the (indiscriminate) advancement of technology as an element to "enhance" humans either psychically or psychologically.
In terms of the societal commentary and reflections, it's clever how it introduces the aspect of "luck". Before, when LBX expresses gratitude towards fate "for returning LJC to him", the commander immediately shuts him down and emphasizes it was him that /chose/ to come back... and it makes total sense... but there also was the concept of timing, isn't there? Inevitably, LJC had go on waiting for the planet's rotation and the success of his plan depended on it. It's very interesting how later, in the end, LJC consoles LBX when fretting about his upcoming trial by mentioning timing (which has a grain of luck, here) as a defining element in someone's life events and even saying that "a beautiful rose cannot bloom out of season" but that, for LBX, the timing is now "right" and that he shouldn't worry.
So... What's the problem I see? The execution. This final conflict seems to build up and up and in the end, by itself, the resolution is a bit lackluster. There's no true face-off on LBX's side, only the uncertainty of having built a theoretical model that might have not applied at all. I understand the story wanted to give more context here on Woolf's ultimate intentions and Lin Ge'er's legacy but it came across as overdone... LBX and that 'eureka! ' moment about the password and then that whole station self-destructing and creating a transfer portal without much explanation feels... well ... certainly convenient.
Now going back a bit I just want to cast a light on another consideration that might be a rather subjective... throughout this wild, wild ride of a story we see LJC be in deadly danger, time and time again, and LBX being the one to step in and save expecting nothing in return only he gradually grows romantically attached to the man. This may be under-acknowledged by others throughout the novel, but we the readers know that even as LJC is presented as a legend, untouchable and nigh immortal -- or rather, unkillable -- he is, very much, not quite that. Even LBX stresses over this during the end, acknowledging that his oversight and failure to lure in the mechs could put LJC in a very precarious situation and that, this time, he truly physically cannot go sweep in right in time and save him. Even if he's desperate to.
Now, hear me out, I understand and see the inherent romantic aspect to this separation but, at the same time, I was hoping for the story to present us with an instance where LBX is the one in danger and, in turn, LJC is the one to be steeped in (quiet) anguish for his beloved. Again, this is wholly subjective but given the length of the novel I think it would have counted for a greater connection and growth between the characters.
Oof! Okay, so. Enough about that.
2. The aftermath and the future outlook
Hooray! Battle's won! Now... where to? I feel the story enters a weird stage once the final battle is won (?) Perhaps it was due to time constraints or just an overzealous approach to tie up the loose ends but, sadly, it does read as rushed and weirdly... too comical? Of course throughout this story we encounter little clever quips and turns of phrase that are hilarious but here... I was hoping for a healtfelt reunion between LJC and LBX, to see them just stand in awe that they are together and that's it over, and they made it?! I don't think this was that outlandish an idea since Can Ci Pin stays a romantic tale at heart but, instead, we got a brief silly mention of LJC's bad luck and onwards we go (?) I.... was left hanging, it felt there was no climax and gentle easing into the ending. Immediately after we're told how things work out for the people we met throughout this journey, and the state of the galaxies and, then, whatever romantic crumbs are dangled in front of us are related to LuLin's engagement to-be. Sure, again, it /is/ quite hilarious how LBX tells the journos about LJC and who he truly is to him with the man mere feet apart. There's cute, indirect teasing but nothing else. Mind, I'm not putting into question the strength of their devotion to each other but, given the progress of the danmei, it comes off as a bit weird no sweet, more intimate one-on-one scenes are spared now that they reached this point and, as LBX said, marriage is for them "the conclusion, not the beginning".
Now, I know, I know. You're thinking ok, wait, but there's the extras! Right, there's the extras, but they exist apart from the main novel and I do think the story deserved a more well-rounded, comprehensive ending. That said, sadly, the extras didn't blow my mind either. The wedding tales were OK, the best scene/closure was perhaps LJC with his sister and the next moment with LBX...which was fleeting but at least the enamoured, loving feeling between both was quite apparent.
So, that's that. Now onto what makes this danmei absolutely spectacular, breathtaking and one-of-a-kind:
1. Length. It might seem kind of a funny thing to point out but this story captivates you and sweeps you away into a world that's as interesting as vast.
Priest is an expert at unveiling critical bits of information as the story unfolds and keeps you on your toes to understand the full picture. The pacing is excellent (save for perhaps, as I mentioned, the end) and the romantic tension and acts are abundant and deeply intertwined with the development of the story which lends it an stunning depth and quite a special meaning.
2. The Language of Love. Priest excels at weaving a sense of innate, devastatingly gentle romance into the slightest, most mundane gestures and scenes. Careful, specific repetition probably plays a great part into this. LBX, we come to learn, is a natural born charmer, he can spin words that, even if idealistic and empty, inspire and make people want to follow him. He often doesn't take this "chicken soup" too seriously even when having a disposition to be generally positive.
We also learn that when younger, he suffered through a condition where he was essentially trapped in his own body, in pain and almost entirely isolated. It stands to reason that, to him, touch is the most natural way to interact with the object of his affection. He frequently embraces LJC, hangs from his arm, holds him close by the waist. It's the cherry on the cake LJC is the more stoic-looking one, the undisputed star commander and yet before him it's LBX that's bestowed the 'gong' role. This feeds, of course, into LBX's possessiveness and it's not untrue he wants to consume LJC which makes the later separation so incredibly hurtful.
LJC on his part displays a leniency, timely and exact, a gradual openness as his main act of love. Where LBX pushes, often but not solely physically, he... allows. It starts inconscipicucous with LBX himself testing the waters and realizing LJC /is/ different towards him, but even as in the beginning this doesn't equate to romantic love, it does in my opinion signal to a sense of helplessness rooted in a tug of attraction, one that gradually tracends into care and love.
LJC has his spaces invaded because he isn't (can't) be stern enough and so LBX seeks him out, shares meals with him, teases him. He's allowed into his room, his bed, and then when intimate he makes it a decision to again, unprompted, let LBX take. LJC himself then mentions during their night at the hotel how difficult it's for him to relax and be passive, how he has to make a conscious effort to be comfortable like this when it's dark and he can barely see. First, LJC tolerates LBX. Then, he welcomes him into his routines, his planning of strategies, his living arrangements and even into his mind network in the end (which we know he felt EXTREMELY personal about). LJC never asks to have Zhanlu back, is willing to carry a tracker like a kid if it means it'd soothe LBX's worries. LJC even questions Zhanlu on why he didn't let LBX clone him! And he doesn't truly appear to have much of a reaction to LBX just using his DNA or printing a 3D life-sized figure of him. Again, he allows and allows and allows. In a way, you could say he's unable to say 'no' to LBX and that it's rooted on his attachment to Lu Xin but, imo, that's only part of it. He /doesn't / want to say no to LBX, he doesn't want to give up on this person to the point he tries 2000+ escapes and is still sane. We also learn how LJC secretly acknowledges 'allowing' is a pivotal act of self-preservation even, when LBX discovers how, unlike him, LJC never overrode Zhanlu's configurations, much as he complained verbally. He's aware he's not a one-man-wonder-can-do-all and, in whatever roundabout way, he welcomes being take care of. He's the epitome of the subtle romanticism there's in knowing, the pain of being known as a person by another (zhi).
Of course LJC also aches to protect LBX, with his life if need be, a quality that LBX mirrors. This is the more passionate, fierce display of love between them, like how LJC is ready to launch himself on some impossible mission while severely if it means it'll keep LBX safe and how, in turn, LBX rips to shreds his plan and kisses him passionately in the mouth, claiming they either both go or live.
3. World building. It's pretty self-explanatory. Also mentioned in #1!
4. The all-too-clever social commentary. I'd confidently bet that the last thing George Orwell expected when writing 1984 was to end up referenced multiple times in an epic, science fiction boys love story of the XXI century. But you know what? It works! The considerations for the future of humanity are presented clearly. There's tons of despair captured, a widespread constant state of unrest and poverty, all laying under a massive net of privileges and corruption schemes. Priest reflects the complexity of human nature in society and constantly toys with the supposed morality of characters, black, white, black, white.... then ultimately grey.
TL;DR: A fantastic read from beginning to end. Deserves every award it's got. 10/10 <3
* * SOME SPOILERS AHEAD* *
To preface this probably too long review I should mention I read this over the span of 1 week, I was completely engrossed and finished the last chapter past midnight on a Sunday night. So, perhaps, my analysis lacks some perspective. That said, I feel it's better we get the bad out of the way first, especially because it's (sadly?) what's fresher in my memory: the end.
Now there's 2 main elements to the ultimate conflict :
1. The battle / mission itself
To my eyes, this is okay as a premise and takes the reader along for a grand final ride. After lulling us into a sense of fragile calm, the equilibrium is broken and a final last showdown is underway.
I think it works both as a "final battle of wits" (Woolf vs Jingheng) and "raw power" (humanity vs fully autonomous AI). It also makes sense story-wise as the core problem of all the past confrontations had its root on the (indiscriminate) advancement of technology as an element to "enhance" humans either psychically or psychologically.
In terms of the societal commentary and reflections, it's clever how it introduces the aspect of "luck". Before, when LBX expresses gratitude towards fate "for returning LJC to him", the commander immediately shuts him down and emphasizes it was him that /chose/ to come back... and it makes total sense... but there also was the concept of timing, isn't there? Inevitably, LJC had go on waiting for the planet's rotation and the success of his plan depended on it. It's very interesting how later, in the end, LJC consoles LBX when fretting about his upcoming trial by mentioning timing (which has a grain of luck, here) as a defining element in someone's life events and even saying that "a beautiful rose cannot bloom out of season" but that, for LBX, the timing is now "right" and that he shouldn't worry.
So... What's the problem I see? The execution. This final conflict seems to build up and up and in the end, by itself, the resolution is a bit lackluster. There's no true face-off on LBX's side, only the uncertainty of having built a theoretical model that might have not applied at all. I understand the story wanted to give more context here on Woolf's ultimate intentions and Lin Ge'er's legacy but it came across as overdone... LBX and that 'eureka! ' moment about the password and then that whole station self-destructing and creating a transfer portal without much explanation feels... well ... certainly convenient.
Now going back a bit I just want to cast a light on another consideration that might be a rather subjective... throughout this wild, wild ride of a story we see LJC be in deadly danger, time and time again, and LBX being the one to step in and save expecting nothing in return only he gradually grows romantically attached to the man. This may be under-acknowledged by others throughout the novel, but we the readers know that even as LJC is presented as a legend, untouchable and nigh immortal -- or rather, unkillable -- he is, very much, not quite that. Even LBX stresses over this during the end, acknowledging that his oversight and failure to lure in the mechs could put LJC in a very precarious situation and that, this time, he truly physically cannot go sweep in right in time and save him. Even if he's desperate to.
Now, hear me out, I understand and see the inherent romantic aspect to this separation but, at the same time, I was hoping for the story to present us with an instance where LBX is the one in danger and, in turn, LJC is the one to be steeped in (quiet) anguish for his beloved. Again, this is wholly subjective but given the length of the novel I think it would have counted for a greater connection and growth between the characters.
Oof! Okay, so. Enough about that.
2. The aftermath and the future outlook
Hooray! Battle's won! Now... where to? I feel the story enters a weird stage once the final battle is won (?) Perhaps it was due to time constraints or just an overzealous approach to tie up the loose ends but, sadly, it does read as rushed and weirdly... too comical? Of course throughout this story we encounter little clever quips and turns of phrase that are hilarious but here... I was hoping for a healtfelt reunion between LJC and LBX, to see them just stand in awe that they are together and that's it over, and they made it?! I don't think this was that outlandish an idea since Can Ci Pin stays a romantic tale at heart but, instead, we got a brief silly mention of LJC's bad luck and onwards we go (?) I.... was left hanging, it felt there was no climax and gentle easing into the ending. Immediately after we're told how things work out for the people we met throughout this journey, and the state of the galaxies and, then, whatever romantic crumbs are dangled in front of us are related to LuLin's engagement to-be. Sure, again, it /is/ quite hilarious how LBX tells the journos about LJC and who he truly is to him with the man mere feet apart. There's cute, indirect teasing but nothing else. Mind, I'm not putting into question the strength of their devotion to each other but, given the progress of the danmei, it comes off as a bit weird no sweet, more intimate one-on-one scenes are spared now that they reached this point and, as LBX said, marriage is for them "the conclusion, not the beginning".
Now, I know, I know. You're thinking ok, wait, but there's the extras! Right, there's the extras, but they exist apart from the main novel and I do think the story deserved a more well-rounded, comprehensive ending. That said, sadly, the extras didn't blow my mind either. The wedding tales were OK, the best scene/closure was perhaps LJC with his sister and the next moment with LBX...which was fleeting but at least the enamoured, loving feeling between both was quite apparent.
So, that's that. Now onto what makes this danmei absolutely spectacular, breathtaking and one-of-a-kind:
1. Length. It might seem kind of a funny thing to point out but this story captivates you and sweeps you away into a world that's as interesting as vast.
Priest is an expert at unveiling critical bits of information as the story unfolds and keeps you on your toes to understand the full picture. The pacing is excellent (save for perhaps, as I mentioned, the end) and the romantic tension and acts are abundant and deeply intertwined with the development of the story which lends it an stunning depth and quite a special meaning.
2. The Language of Love. Priest excels at weaving a sense of innate, devastatingly gentle romance into the slightest, most mundane gestures and scenes. Careful, specific repetition probably plays a great part into this. LBX, we come to learn, is a natural born charmer, he can spin words that, even if idealistic and empty, inspire and make people want to follow him. He often doesn't take this "chicken soup" too seriously even when having a disposition to be generally positive.
We also learn that when younger, he suffered through a condition where he was essentially trapped in his own body, in pain and almost entirely isolated. It stands to reason that, to him, touch is the most natural way to interact with the object of his affection. He frequently embraces LJC, hangs from his arm, holds him close by the waist. It's the cherry on the cake LJC is the more stoic-looking one, the undisputed star commander and yet before him it's LBX that's bestowed the 'gong' role. This feeds, of course, into LBX's possessiveness and it's not untrue he wants to consume LJC which makes the later separation so incredibly hurtful.
LJC on his part displays a leniency, timely and exact, a gradual openness as his main act of love. Where LBX pushes, often but not solely physically, he... allows. It starts inconscipicucous with LBX himself testing the waters and realizing LJC /is/ different towards him, but even as in the beginning this doesn't equate to romantic love, it does in my opinion signal to a sense of helplessness rooted in a tug of attraction, one that gradually tracends into care and love.
LJC has his spaces invaded because he isn't (can't) be stern enough and so LBX seeks him out, shares meals with him, teases him. He's allowed into his room, his bed, and then when intimate he makes it a decision to again, unprompted, let LBX take. LJC himself then mentions during their night at the hotel how difficult it's for him to relax and be passive, how he has to make a conscious effort to be comfortable like this when it's dark and he can barely see. First, LJC tolerates LBX. Then, he welcomes him into his routines, his planning of strategies, his living arrangements and even into his mind network in the end (which we know he felt EXTREMELY personal about). LJC never asks to have Zhanlu back, is willing to carry a tracker like a kid if it means it'd soothe LBX's worries. LJC even questions Zhanlu on why he didn't let LBX clone him! And he doesn't truly appear to have much of a reaction to LBX just using his DNA or printing a 3D life-sized figure of him. Again, he allows and allows and allows. In a way, you could say he's unable to say 'no' to LBX and that it's rooted on his attachment to Lu Xin but, imo, that's only part of it. He /doesn't / want to say no to LBX, he doesn't want to give up on this person to the point he tries 2000+ escapes and is still sane. We also learn how LJC secretly acknowledges 'allowing' is a pivotal act of self-preservation even, when LBX discovers how, unlike him, LJC never overrode Zhanlu's configurations, much as he complained verbally. He's aware he's not a one-man-wonder-can-do-all and, in whatever roundabout way, he welcomes being take care of. He's the epitome of the subtle romanticism there's in knowing, the pain of being known as a person by another (zhi).
Of course LJC also aches to protect LBX, with his life if need be, a quality that LBX mirrors. This is the more passionate, fierce display of love between them, like how LJC is ready to launch himself on some impossible mission while severely if it means it'll keep LBX safe and how, in turn, LBX rips to shreds his plan and kisses him passionately in the mouth, claiming they either both go or live.
3. World building. It's pretty self-explanatory. Also mentioned in #1!
4. The all-too-clever social commentary. I'd confidently bet that the last thing George Orwell expected when writing 1984 was to end up referenced multiple times in an epic, science fiction boys love story of the XXI century. But you know what? It works! The considerations for the future of humanity are presented clearly. There's tons of despair captured, a widespread constant state of unrest and poverty, all laying under a massive net of privileges and corruption schemes. Priest reflects the complexity of human nature in society and constantly toys with the supposed morality of characters, black, white, black, white.... then ultimately grey.
TL;DR: A fantastic read from beginning to end. Deserves every award it's got. 10/10 <3
June 17, 2022
My 7th Priest work and it was a doozy! Normally I don't go anywhere near sci-fi, but I decided to give CCP a shot because I enjoy Priest's works, and this seems to be a popular book in the danmei community. I enjoyed it for the most part but definitely struggled with the parts that were a little too sci-fi-y, which there were a lot. I'm proud of finishing the whole series in 8 days... it was so long!
Shoutout to beans for the amazing translation. There were some chapters in the middle where I had to read translations from a different group (GPS), which were okay quality-wise, but I was definitely excited to go back to beans's version when I could.
Now onto my review:
Overall I really enjoyed this book and especially the relationship between LJH and LBX, which changed as they themselves changed due to the events forced upon them. I probably wouldn't come back and reread this, as it's a monster of a book with too much sci-fi elements, but I'm glad I decided to pick it up and give it a chance.
Shoutout to beans for the amazing translation. There were some chapters in the middle where I had to read translations from a different group (GPS), which were okay quality-wise, but I was definitely excited to go back to beans's version when I could.
Now onto my review:
Overall I really enjoyed this book and especially the relationship between LJH and LBX, which changed as they themselves changed due to the events forced upon them. I probably wouldn't come back and reread this, as it's a monster of a book with too much sci-fi elements, but I'm glad I decided to pick it up and give it a chance.
May 12, 2025
Can Ci Pin by Priest—translated "The Defective" into English—will never fail to blow me away. It is the most cohesive, well-crafted, plot AND romance heavy science fiction book I have ever read.
To its core, this is a book focused on politics. Much of it is scheming then betrayal, betrayal, betrayal and plot twists. Multiple factions orchestrate a war that devastates billions for power or territory or world domination. It is intriguing in its schemes, but very complex plot wise. The antagonists are many but each are brilliant in their own way, reading never gets dull.
And the science portion of it is just so incredibly fascinating. This novel takes place an unspecified amount of time in the future, but at a time where humans have explored space and all but conquered the universe. It touches on topics about human evolution and the dichotomy between humans and artificial intelligence...then the jarring similarities between the two as well. It has such interesting dialogue on how much humans should let technology into their lives, whether one can truly live without technology at all. There are fantastic discussions about free will and freedom and whether someone that adheres to society can truly be considered "free," and whether certain groups of people are or can be more free than others.
The content is so heavy, we read about love and about loss. About what it means to fall in love in a time where humans can live for 300 years, where reproduction does not require affection––what it means to live for someone else. Then also about the cruelty of time and space. It has such vivid depictions of sorrow and suffering––about losing those closest to you in war. Certain portions of the book are so comprehensive in their representations of grief and loneliness that is is gut-wrenching. We get to see the selfishness of mankind where even during a time when humans have it all, it is still not enough. About how power of ambition and the desire to want more drives human beings into the depths of despair. This naturally progresses into themes about morality especially when the tense situation in the narrative devolves into war.
Aside from the excellent plot, Priest has such a way with characterization and giving life to interesting and lovable personalities. She officially claims the novel to be a "happy two-man space waltz," and ultimately, it is! Lin Jingheng and Lu Bixing are two men that were brought together in the vastness of space by fate. They went from colleagues to friends to lovers all while trying to stay true to their morals and preserving peace in their corner of the universe. Lin Jingheng is a former top space commander who was turned on by the same government he was trying to protect and fakes his death. A cold and aloof character with clearcut morals, but a habit of bad mouthing everyone in his vicinity. Lu Bixing is a young scientist in the most desolate part of the universe who is filled with kindness and aspirations. He dreams of starting a school and educating the youth that the government failed to account for. As he is running away from home, he crosses paths with a very unconscious Lin Jingheng floating around in space and it starts from there.
These two characters have some of the best character development and growth in literature. There is love, loss, and betrayal and we witness how they grow and mature throughout it all. How there was loss of innocence and visceral representations of anguish. Then navigating this loss and growing around the grief––for each other. Learning how difficult it can be to love but loving nonetheless.
I honestly could keep going on for paragraphs and paragraphs, but it is enough just to say that I absolutely, wholeheartedly love this novel. It is my favorite and I cannot wait for there to be an official English translation, more people deserve to read this.
To its core, this is a book focused on politics. Much of it is scheming then betrayal, betrayal, betrayal and plot twists. Multiple factions orchestrate a war that devastates billions for power or territory or world domination. It is intriguing in its schemes, but very complex plot wise. The antagonists are many but each are brilliant in their own way, reading never gets dull.
And the science portion of it is just so incredibly fascinating. This novel takes place an unspecified amount of time in the future, but at a time where humans have explored space and all but conquered the universe. It touches on topics about human evolution and the dichotomy between humans and artificial intelligence...then the jarring similarities between the two as well. It has such interesting dialogue on how much humans should let technology into their lives, whether one can truly live without technology at all. There are fantastic discussions about free will and freedom and whether someone that adheres to society can truly be considered "free," and whether certain groups of people are or can be more free than others.
The content is so heavy, we read about love and about loss. About what it means to fall in love in a time where humans can live for 300 years, where reproduction does not require affection––what it means to live for someone else. Then also about the cruelty of time and space. It has such vivid depictions of sorrow and suffering––about losing those closest to you in war. Certain portions of the book are so comprehensive in their representations of grief and loneliness that is is gut-wrenching. We get to see the selfishness of mankind where even during a time when humans have it all, it is still not enough. About how power of ambition and the desire to want more drives human beings into the depths of despair. This naturally progresses into themes about morality especially when the tense situation in the narrative devolves into war.
Aside from the excellent plot, Priest has such a way with characterization and giving life to interesting and lovable personalities. She officially claims the novel to be a "
These two characters have some of the best character development and growth in literature. There is love, loss, and betrayal and we witness how they grow and mature throughout it all. How there was loss of innocence and visceral representations of anguish. Then navigating this loss and growing around the grief––for each other. Learning how difficult it can be to love but loving nonetheless.
I honestly could keep going on for paragraphs and paragraphs, but it is enough just to say that I absolutely, wholeheartedly love this novel. It is my favorite and I cannot wait for there to be an official English translation, more people deserve to read this.
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