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薬屋のひとりごと [Kusuriya no Hitorigoto] (Light Novel) #2
The Apothecary Diaries (Light Novel): Volume 2
Dismissed from the rear palace, Maomao returns to service in the outer court—as the personal serving woman to none other than Jinshi! That doesn’t necessarily make her popular with the other ladies, but a bit of jealousy might be the least of her problems. A mysterious warehouse fire, an official with a very bad case of food poisoning, and the mysterious last will and testament of a deceased craftsman all demand her attention—but are these cases really separate, or do they share a troubling connection? Then there’s the mysterious military man who continually visits Jinshi. He’s strange, maybe even a little twisted... and he seems very interested in Maomao.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2015
1122 people are currently reading
2654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
January 29, 2022
girl is just trying to do her job and have fun with herbs but constantly has to deal with men that are down bad (and not even for her! ok maybe one is for her)
July 29, 2025
I have always been drawn to stories in ancient China, so I was particularly excited to dive into this volume. However, I must say that I found it rather tedious. While I liked some mysteries, the events in this installment felt consistently uninspiring, lacking the tension and excitement I expected.
In this volume, Maomao, the protagonist, seems to have transformed into a more cartoonish version of herself. This exaggerated portrayal led to several moments that made me cringe with second-hand embarrassment on her behalf—something I distinctly did not experience in Volume 1, where her character felt more nuanced and relatable.
Regrettably, Maomao is the only character who truly stands out. The supporting cast appears only when their roles are crucial to pushing the plot forward and quickly recedes into the background. Although the author attempts to flesh out their backstories, these characters ultimately feel one-dimensional and underdeveloped.
As for Jinshi, he is presented as the romantic interest, but I struggle to understand why he is so widely adored by readers. While he did come across as slightly more appealing than in Volume 1, the evident power imbalance in their relationship casts a shadow over its authenticity. It’s difficult to root for a romance when one character holds such an overpowering position over the other.
It also doesn't help that I don't feel the chemistry between them.
Moreover, the portrayal of the male characters in this novel leans all too close to realism, which unfortunately makes them unlikable to me. They are indeed well-written and complex, but I find myself wanting to escape from the realities of everyday life rather than confronting them in my reading selections.
In summary, my experience with this volume was rather lukewarm. I preferred Volume 1 significantly more and cannot grasp the enthusiasm surrounding this novel.
In this volume, Maomao, the protagonist, seems to have transformed into a more cartoonish version of herself. This exaggerated portrayal led to several moments that made me cringe with second-hand embarrassment on her behalf—something I distinctly did not experience in Volume 1, where her character felt more nuanced and relatable.
Regrettably, Maomao is the only character who truly stands out. The supporting cast appears only when their roles are crucial to pushing the plot forward and quickly recedes into the background. Although the author attempts to flesh out their backstories, these characters ultimately feel one-dimensional and underdeveloped.
As for Jinshi, he is presented as the romantic interest, but I struggle to understand why he is so widely adored by readers. While he did come across as slightly more appealing than in Volume 1, the evident power imbalance in their relationship casts a shadow over its authenticity. It’s difficult to root for a romance when one character holds such an overpowering position over the other.
It also doesn't help that I don't feel the chemistry between them.
Moreover, the portrayal of the male characters in this novel leans all too close to realism, which unfortunately makes them unlikable to me. They are indeed well-written and complex, but I find myself wanting to escape from the realities of everyday life rather than confronting them in my reading selections.
In summary, my experience with this volume was rather lukewarm. I preferred Volume 1 significantly more and cannot grasp the enthusiasm surrounding this novel.
October 5, 2021
So... I'm in a bind. I gave Vol. 1 five stars but now I'm at a loss for how to communicate numerically just how much better this one was?? The first one was so good, I tore through it and even enjoyed the parts I already knew from reading the manga.
But this one somehow was even better - in plot and character development to start, but also the mysteries were so winding and the stakes felt even more tense!
Maomao is just, I think she may be my favorite heroine of all time. She's so intriguing and flawed and funny and amazing. 😂😭💕💕
I couldn't put this one down, I read it in my car after I left work (delaying going home!! :0), then again before going into the grocery store because "well, I've stopped so just a page or two and I'll get back to errands". 😂😂
Anyway, if you're reading reviews to gauge if it's worth the time/effort, never fear! It's stupid good 😂
Now the patient waiting for Vol. 3 😔
But this one somehow was even better - in plot and character development to start, but also the mysteries were so winding and the stakes felt even more tense!
Maomao is just, I think she may be my favorite heroine of all time. She's so intriguing and flawed and funny and amazing. 😂😭💕💕
I couldn't put this one down, I read it in my car after I left work (delaying going home!! :0), then again before going into the grocery store because "well, I've stopped so just a page or two and I'll get back to errands". 😂😂
Anyway, if you're reading reviews to gauge if it's worth the time/effort, never fear! It's stupid good 😂
Now the patient waiting for Vol. 3 😔
April 12, 2024
I don’t know how it gets better than this
February 12, 2025
this is going to be my entire personality for a loooong while
May 14, 2025
I got bored during class and started read this lol <33
February 25, 2025
This series is just so immaculate. I love the main characters so much, they have such fun personalities. This book took me forever to finish, but that was only because of a busy schedule otherwise, I would be done with all the novels out in this series already haha.
April 30, 2025
Maomao finds creative ways to say Jinshi is insanely gorgeous as she gets side quests as a poison taster.
And I’m not even joking. Once Jinshi asks if she could put make-up on him, she legit asks if he’s trying to overthrow the government and start a war. She also gets insanely jealous as she drops off Jinshi because she thinks he is going there to spend time with courtesans but yes bestie, I fully believe that you don’t want to climb him like a tree. An unreliable narrator at its finest.
Jinshi is openly down bad, but this part is especially insane: “No one knew quite where the rumor had started, but word was that some profligate noble from the great country that occupied the middle of the continent was buying up every kind of rare and unusual medicament he could find.” He is never beating the simp allegations I fear.
Anyway. Five stars. This is my whole personality now.
And I’m not even joking. Once Jinshi asks if she could put make-up on him, she legit asks if he’s trying to overthrow the government and start a war. She also gets insanely jealous as she drops off Jinshi because she thinks he is going there to spend time with courtesans but yes bestie, I fully believe that you don’t want to climb him like a tree. An unreliable narrator at its finest.
Jinshi is openly down bad, but this part is especially insane: “No one knew quite where the rumor had started, but word was that some profligate noble from the great country that occupied the middle of the continent was buying up every kind of rare and unusual medicament he could find.” He is never beating the simp allegations I fear.
Anyway. Five stars. This is my whole personality now.
June 21, 2025
Take a shot every time Maomao mentions how Jinshi’s beauty could send the country into ruins. She so badly wanted to disguise him as a woman.
July 6, 2025
3.75⭐️ ⭐️⭐️🌟
I found the writing and intrigue better than the first. There is more character development for both Maomao and Jinshi, but still not quite enough. I think the series, being “diaries” would benefit from Maomao’s journal entries, more depth into her emotions after being kidnapped, recipes for her apothecary medicines. This is mostly relaxed, low stakes. There is a poisoning investigation, and she also uses alchemy to create blue roses for the emperor. There is a weird relationship with the eunuch Jinshi.
This short novel/novella I finished in about 3-4 hours which I found to be a nice comfortable length if you want something you know you can finish in an afternoon. I am also pairing my reading of the short novels with the manga.
I found the writing and intrigue better than the first. There is more character development for both Maomao and Jinshi, but still not quite enough. I think the series, being “diaries” would benefit from Maomao’s journal entries, more depth into her emotions after being kidnapped, recipes for her apothecary medicines. This is mostly relaxed, low stakes. There is a poisoning investigation, and she also uses alchemy to create blue roses for the emperor. There is a weird relationship with the eunuch Jinshi.
This short novel/novella I finished in about 3-4 hours which I found to be a nice comfortable length if you want something you know you can finish in an afternoon. I am also pairing my reading of the short novels with the manga.
March 21, 2025
3.5 stars. Another good installment of this series. Still a little too episodic for my taste; it jumps around quite a bit from one little mystery to another. But I enjoy the characters a lot, and the books are fun, light reads.
March 15, 2024
I sobbed so fucking hard that I had to run and get tissues just so I could go right back to reading
September 19, 2025
4.5 - I fear I may be addicted to this series
May 19, 2020
Good translation, recommended. Find it on novelupdates. The basic gist is that a girl, (not reincarnated nor transmigrated), is a very good herbalist. Over the course of books, she begins to aim to become a doctor and solves mysteries every arc. Somewhat realistic, yet it's extremely fun to read. Once again, recommended.
July 12, 2025
⭐️5/5⭐️
And... I finished it. Although I'd already seen everything I read in the series, I enjoyed reading the detailed thoughts and even phrases that were omitted much more. With each volume I go through, I will love Maomao more. How stoic she is in any situation, simply chef kiss. I'll say it a thousand times, but I love that her character isn't cliché, much less forced.
Regarding everything that happened in the book, I really liked getting to know a little more about Maomao, her past, and how she thinks about it. I also enjoyed seeing how they give us hints about the entire situation of the imperial family, which I, blind to the series, hadn't noticed.
P.S.: Ox bezoar... you learn a lot with this book; I'm ready to differentiate cilantro from parsley, then 😼
‼️ SPOILERS ‼️
- Can you please build an altar to this girl? She risked her life for someone she didn't even know who she was.
- I have to admit that I was saddened by Lakan's situation and how he wants his daughter back. It's clear he adores her and would do anything for her. I hope future novels at least show some progress. It's worth noting that I completely understand why his daughter doesn't want to be around him. I'd be the same, buuuut, it still makes me sad.
- Lihaku and Maomao's relationship, ahhhh, I love them, it's so "brothers core."
- Jinshi searching heaven, earth, and sea for his beloved's blessed medicines makes him a 10/10.
- Every time Xiaolan appears, a fairy is born.
- In one particular scene, Jinshi points out to Maomao that he didn't know she was interested in anything other than medicine, and I think it's very important because from the very beginning we realize how difficult it is for her to show her emotions, to let them out. You can tell how much she loves her family and even Xiaolan. In her own way, she shows how much she cares for others, even for people she doesn't know. This speaks volumes about her. This whole story starts exactly when she helps two people when she had no obligation to. I emphasize all of this because I think it's very important to point it out. Maomao is a character with a beautiful, kind, and empathetic heart, but because of her poker face and coldness, the world doesn't notice.
- If I had a coin for every time Maomao thought Jinshi was 🏳️🌈, I'd be a millionaire.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
⭐️5/5⭐️
Y...me lo termine, si bien todo lo que leí ya lo había visto en la serie me gustó mucho más leer a detalle pensamientos o hasta frases que fueron omitidas. Con cada volumen que pase, más voy a querer a Maomao. Lo estoica que llega a ser en cualquier situación, simplemente chef kiss. Lo diré una y mil veces pero como me encanta que su personaje no sea un cliché ni muchos menos forzado.
Con respecto a todo lo que sucedió en el libro, me gustó bastante, poder conocer un poco más de Maomao, de su pasado y como piensa sobre el mismo. También ir viendo como nos van dando unos guiños a toda la situación de la familia imperial, que yo de ciega en la serie no lo había notado.
PD: bezoar de buey..uno aprende muchas cosas con este libro, ya estoy lista para diferenciar el cilantro del perejil entonces 😼
‼️ SPOILERS ‼️
- Pueden por favor hacerle un altar a esta chica? Arriesgó su cabeza por alguien que ni siguiera sabía quién era.
- He de admitirlo que me entristeció la situación de Lakan y el cómo quiere recuperar a su hija, se nota que la adora y haría lo que fuese por ella, ojalá que en las futuras novelas se vea por lo menos un progreso. Cabe aclarar que entiendo perfectamente porque su hija no quiere estar cerca de él, yo estaría igual, peeeeero, me sigue dando pena.
- La relación de Lihaku y Maomao ahhhh, los amo, es tan "brothers core"
- Que Jinshi ande buscando por cielo, tierra y mar las benditas medicinas de amada lo hace un 10/10
- Xiaolan cada que aparece nace un hada.
- En una escena en particular Jinshi le hace notar a Maomao que no sabía que le interesaba algo más que los medicamentos, y me parece muy importante porque desde un primer momento nos damos cuenta como a ella le es complicado demostrar sus emociones, dejarlas salir. Se nota lo mucho que quiere a su familia y hasta a Xiaolan, a su manera demuestra como se preocupa por los demás y como hasta se preocupa por personas que no conoce, eso habla muy bien de ella. Toda esta historia arranca JUSTAMENTE cuando ella ayuda a dos personas cuando no tenia la obligación de hacerlo. Recalco todo esto porque me parece muy importante hacerlo notar, Maomao es un personaje que tiene un corazón hermoso, bondadoso y empatico pero que por su cara de poker y frialdad el mundo no lo nota.
- Si tuviera una moneda por cada que Maomao pensó que Jinshi era 🏳️🌈, sería millonaria.
And... I finished it. Although I'd already seen everything I read in the series, I enjoyed reading the detailed thoughts and even phrases that were omitted much more. With each volume I go through, I will love Maomao more. How stoic she is in any situation, simply chef kiss. I'll say it a thousand times, but I love that her character isn't cliché, much less forced.
Regarding everything that happened in the book, I really liked getting to know a little more about Maomao, her past, and how she thinks about it. I also enjoyed seeing how they give us hints about the entire situation of the imperial family, which I, blind to the series, hadn't noticed.
P.S.: Ox bezoar... you learn a lot with this book; I'm ready to differentiate cilantro from parsley, then 😼
‼️ SPOILERS ‼️
- Can you please build an altar to this girl? She risked her life for someone she didn't even know who she was.
- I have to admit that I was saddened by Lakan's situation and how he wants his daughter back. It's clear he adores her and would do anything for her. I hope future novels at least show some progress. It's worth noting that I completely understand why his daughter doesn't want to be around him. I'd be the same, buuuut, it still makes me sad.
- Lihaku and Maomao's relationship, ahhhh, I love them, it's so "brothers core."
- Jinshi searching heaven, earth, and sea for his beloved's blessed medicines makes him a 10/10.
- Every time Xiaolan appears, a fairy is born.
- In one particular scene, Jinshi points out to Maomao that he didn't know she was interested in anything other than medicine, and I think it's very important because from the very beginning we realize how difficult it is for her to show her emotions, to let them out. You can tell how much she loves her family and even Xiaolan. In her own way, she shows how much she cares for others, even for people she doesn't know. This speaks volumes about her. This whole story starts exactly when she helps two people when she had no obligation to. I emphasize all of this because I think it's very important to point it out. Maomao is a character with a beautiful, kind, and empathetic heart, but because of her poker face and coldness, the world doesn't notice.
- If I had a coin for every time Maomao thought Jinshi was 🏳️🌈, I'd be a millionaire.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
⭐️5/5⭐️
Y...me lo termine, si bien todo lo que leí ya lo había visto en la serie me gustó mucho más leer a detalle pensamientos o hasta frases que fueron omitidas. Con cada volumen que pase, más voy a querer a Maomao. Lo estoica que llega a ser en cualquier situación, simplemente chef kiss. Lo diré una y mil veces pero como me encanta que su personaje no sea un cliché ni muchos menos forzado.
Con respecto a todo lo que sucedió en el libro, me gustó bastante, poder conocer un poco más de Maomao, de su pasado y como piensa sobre el mismo. También ir viendo como nos van dando unos guiños a toda la situación de la familia imperial, que yo de ciega en la serie no lo había notado.
PD: bezoar de buey..uno aprende muchas cosas con este libro, ya estoy lista para diferenciar el cilantro del perejil entonces 😼
‼️ SPOILERS ‼️
- Pueden por favor hacerle un altar a esta chica? Arriesgó su cabeza por alguien que ni siguiera sabía quién era.
- He de admitirlo que me entristeció la situación de Lakan y el cómo quiere recuperar a su hija, se nota que la adora y haría lo que fuese por ella, ojalá que en las futuras novelas se vea por lo menos un progreso. Cabe aclarar que entiendo perfectamente porque su hija no quiere estar cerca de él, yo estaría igual, peeeeero, me sigue dando pena.
- La relación de Lihaku y Maomao ahhhh, los amo, es tan "brothers core"
- Que Jinshi ande buscando por cielo, tierra y mar las benditas medicinas de amada lo hace un 10/10
- Xiaolan cada que aparece nace un hada.
- En una escena en particular Jinshi le hace notar a Maomao que no sabía que le interesaba algo más que los medicamentos, y me parece muy importante porque desde un primer momento nos damos cuenta como a ella le es complicado demostrar sus emociones, dejarlas salir. Se nota lo mucho que quiere a su familia y hasta a Xiaolan, a su manera demuestra como se preocupa por los demás y como hasta se preocupa por personas que no conoce, eso habla muy bien de ella. Toda esta historia arranca JUSTAMENTE cuando ella ayuda a dos personas cuando no tenia la obligación de hacerlo. Recalco todo esto porque me parece muy importante hacerlo notar, Maomao es un personaje que tiene un corazón hermoso, bondadoso y empatico pero que por su cara de poker y frialdad el mundo no lo nota.
- Si tuviera una moneda por cada que Maomao pensó que Jinshi era 🏳️🌈, sería millonaria.
May 13, 2025
SCREAMS INTO THE ABYSS
May 29, 2025
I’m really liking this series!!
August 28, 2025
RAAAAAAAA
guys there are sixteen books.
two light novels make up ONE season
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THROUGH THIS MUCH PINING
guys there are sixteen books.
two light novels make up ONE season
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THROUGH THIS MUCH PINING
November 21, 2024
Im going feral for this series u don’t understand
July 14, 2024
Ngl, this one might be a five star. I really liked the first one, but this one is LEAGUES better.
September 30, 2025
I’m going to come back to this when this season ends and I need the story again
June 10, 2025
“I urge you not to imagine that those who are high-born are fundamentally different creatures from you. None of us, however princely or however poor, know what will happen in our lives.
That by itself unites us across every divide.”
i enjoyed this much more than the first volume!! i don’t know if it’s just bc i got used to the writing style or not, but im really happy 🥰. i also loved that little puzzle with the three sons trying to decipher their late father’s will!
the writing does feel stilted at times and the descriptions don’t quite match up to how the anime brings them to life, but i found myself so absorbed nonetheless! it’s funny bc we get introduced to a character who i was very wary of in the anime—he comes across as very sleazy and untrustworthy at first, but then as maomao is solving these different mysteries, he’s almost like her shadow as he aids in helping her get to where she needs. i really liked meeting him again through different eyes.
it even made his reunion with a specific courtesan feel just as emotional as the first time :’) we not only get to witness this bittersweet love story that maomao’s parents had, but also bear witness to how maomao’s childhood was the way that it was.
i also love that with another character we meet, suirei, her presence stands out a lot. even though it feels like we meet her very briefly, only for her to just disappear, her character speaks to what more schemes may lay ahead in the palace. a lot of discontent is shown by the former emperor’s reign and his inappropriate actions, and so there’s bound to be some women who will go to great lengths to reclaim their autonomy by setting some opportunistic traps. one of these traps just so happens to lead to an emotional scene from the anime between jinshi & maomao!
and there’s still much more to discover! again, i’m really happy that i liked this volume much more and im very excited to see where the rest of this light novel series will go ☺️ we haven’t met shisui yet (technically), so that’ll make things much more exciting!
That by itself unites us across every divide.”
i enjoyed this much more than the first volume!! i don’t know if it’s just bc i got used to the writing style or not, but im really happy 🥰. i also loved that little puzzle with the three sons trying to decipher their late father’s will!
the writing does feel stilted at times and the descriptions don’t quite match up to how the anime brings them to life, but i found myself so absorbed nonetheless! it’s funny bc we get introduced to a character who i was very wary of in the anime—he comes across as very sleazy and untrustworthy at first, but then as maomao is solving these different mysteries, he’s almost like her shadow as he aids in helping her get to where she needs. i really liked meeting him again through different eyes.
it even made his reunion with a specific courtesan feel just as emotional as the first time :’) we not only get to witness this bittersweet love story that maomao’s parents had, but also bear witness to how maomao’s childhood was the way that it was.
i also love that with another character we meet, suirei, her presence stands out a lot. even though it feels like we meet her very briefly, only for her to just disappear, her character speaks to what more schemes may lay ahead in the palace. a lot of discontent is shown by the former emperor’s reign and his inappropriate actions, and so there’s bound to be some women who will go to great lengths to reclaim their autonomy by setting some opportunistic traps. one of these traps just so happens to lead to an emotional scene from the anime between jinshi & maomao!
and there’s still much more to discover! again, i’m really happy that i liked this volume much more and im very excited to see where the rest of this light novel series will go ☺️ we haven’t met shisui yet (technically), so that’ll make things much more exciting!
November 4, 2025
Yay, this book got 4 stars instead of almost 2 stars like the first one! Give it a round of applause for its efforts. We love to see a series improve as it goes on!!👏
“What a person deemed beyond explanation was only a reflections of the boundaries of their own knowledge.”
From the moment I picked up this book I felt like it flowed so much better, and the writing was like good? (I say that when the quote I used above always makes me kind of tongue tied with the two of’s close together 🥲which is something that happens quite a few times in this book, but anyways I still like the quote.) Very pleasantly surprised by this. Even the art I liked better in this one then the first idk. Now I will say though, the different little plots that were going on felt SO random. Like why are over here figuring out this carpenters crafting secret. Bro, I do not care. But hold up wait a minute, I let it cook, ok, and it did all make sense. The randomness had purpose it just took a while to see where they were going with it.
At the end, I still had questions, I gotta say! I hope they will be answered at some point or maybe I actually just missed the explanation all together? That could be very likely.
"I urge you not to imagine that those who are highborn are fundamentally different creatures from you. None of us, however princely or however poor, know what will happen in our lives. That by itself unites us across every divide."
Now, after my praise I do gotta say I still feel like I'm going to forget the whole plot or maybe I already have. There is just some books that do not stick in my brain I really don't know why but yk I can just watch the show at some point to give my brain a refresh on all the things I am forgetting
Anyways I'm looking forward to book 3, it better get checked in sooooon.
“What a person deemed beyond explanation was only a reflections of the boundaries of their own knowledge.”
From the moment I picked up this book I felt like it flowed so much better, and the writing was like good? (I say that when the quote I used above always makes me kind of tongue tied with the two of’s close together 🥲which is something that happens quite a few times in this book, but anyways I still like the quote.) Very pleasantly surprised by this. Even the art I liked better in this one then the first idk. Now I will say though, the different little plots that were going on felt SO random. Like why are over here figuring out this carpenters crafting secret. Bro, I do not care. But hold up wait a minute, I let it cook, ok, and it did all make sense. The randomness had purpose it just took a while to see where they were going with it.
At the end, I still had questions, I gotta say! I hope they will be answered at some point or maybe I actually just missed the explanation all together? That could be very likely.
"I urge you not to imagine that those who are highborn are fundamentally different creatures from you. None of us, however princely or however poor, know what will happen in our lives. That by itself unites us across every divide."
Now, after my praise I do gotta say I still feel like I'm going to forget the whole plot or maybe I already have. There is just some books that do not stick in my brain I really don't know why but yk I can just watch the show at some point to give my brain a refresh on all the things I am forgetting
Anyways I'm looking forward to book 3, it better get checked in sooooon.
January 9, 2025
questo secondo volume mi è servito come ripasso per la nuova stagione in arrivo, e nonostante conoscessi già tutto, mi ha fatto super piacere leggere tutto quanto di nuovo. il rapporto tra i "genitori" di maomao, la loro storia, il fatto che maomao consideri comunque chi le ha dato amore come la sua famiglia.. tutto bellissimo <3 ho adorato l'epilogo perché il rapporto tra jinshi e maomao si sta piano piano allargando a qualcosa di più, la stessa speziale ha capito che è più facile parlare con lui quando non si nasconde dietro una facciata che è costretto ad indossare in quanto detiene un ruolo importante. il fatto che spesso si sottolinei la bellezza dell'eunuco e come lui odi questa "benedizione" è molto interessante e spero davvero che si approfondisca questo suo aspetto perché sono sicura che jinshi sia molto molto altro rispetto alla sua bellezza fisica!
non vedo l'ora di leggere il terzo volume!! 5⭐️ super meritate eheh!!
non vedo l'ora di leggere il terzo volume!! 5⭐️ super meritate eheh!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2025
3.5 ✨
I have to admit, I was a bit let down by this book—though to be fair, that might be because I watched the anime first.
Book two picks up right where the first left off, which I really appreciate. It’s always nice when a series keeps that continuity going.
That said, while the book was a decent read, I found it a bit dull at times. Again, my expectations were likely shaped by the anime adaptation. One chapter in particular (no spoilers, don’t worry) started off with a strong setup but led to a surprisingly anticlimactic resolution, especially given the weight of the event.
Still, there were elements I appreciated. For example, the book did a much better job at fleshing out the reasoning behind certain events, making them feel like part of a larger conspiracy rather than mere coincidence.
I have to admit, I was a bit let down by this book—though to be fair, that might be because I watched the anime first.
Book two picks up right where the first left off, which I really appreciate. It’s always nice when a series keeps that continuity going.
That said, while the book was a decent read, I found it a bit dull at times. Again, my expectations were likely shaped by the anime adaptation. One chapter in particular (no spoilers, don’t worry) started off with a strong setup but led to a surprisingly anticlimactic resolution, especially given the weight of the event.
Still, there were elements I appreciated. For example, the book did a much better job at fleshing out the reasoning behind certain events, making them feel like part of a larger conspiracy rather than mere coincidence.
July 17, 2025
Jinshi is so hot he’s got everyone questioning their sexualities and preferences.
“He doesn't need any damn makeup! Mao-mao thought.
He already had the beauty of some denizen of the heavenly realm. A touch of crimson around the eyes, a dab of rouge on the lips, and a flower mark upon his brow would be enough to bring the nation to its knees. History was full of pointless wars, and more than a few of them had been caused by a beautiful woman too close to the seat of power.
And this man, he had the potential to transcend gender entirely.”
“He doesn't need any damn makeup! Mao-mao thought.
He already had the beauty of some denizen of the heavenly realm. A touch of crimson around the eyes, a dab of rouge on the lips, and a flower mark upon his brow would be enough to bring the nation to its knees. History was full of pointless wars, and more than a few of them had been caused by a beautiful woman too close to the seat of power.
And this man, he had the potential to transcend gender entirely.”
November 27, 2024
I can't believe this got even better! I love a logical, competent FMC and Maomao is just that.
That reveal? And the send off? MY HEART.
RECAP: Maomao is back to working in the rear palace because her former master may be preggo, series of mysteries she solves: metal worker's sons, fire in a warehouse, missing ritual implements, an attempted murder. Military official who is sus. Other military official trying to buy out her older sister from the brothel, jealous Jinshi, reveal and send off dance, etc.
So good!
That reveal? And the send off? MY HEART.
RECAP: Maomao is back to working in the rear palace because her former master may be preggo, series of mysteries she solves: metal worker's sons, fire in a warehouse, missing ritual implements, an attempted murder. Military official who is sus. Other military official trying to buy out her older sister from the brothel, jealous Jinshi, reveal and send off dance, etc.
So good!
December 6, 2024
There is a LOT that goes on in this installment, and presently I'm a bit too tired to try to cover it all in a review, but this was excellent! I'm more glad than before that I started this series!
September 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This made me appreciate how good of an adaption the anime is
This made me appreciate how good of an adaption the anime is
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