"You came too late, Wanyin. No kindred spirits are waiting for you here."
i read like 2 chapters of this before dropping it, considering i also didn't like the donghua. but then i saw this banger edit so i gave it a second chance and now my life is about yu wanyin forever
The first half of the story was the most enjoyable to me. I liked that the fact that Wang Cuihua and Zhang San transmigrating was never forgotten and there would be references to the modern world. Side characters like Xie Yong'er, Xiao Tiancai, A Bai, Bei Zhou, Xiahou Bo, and all the scholars were interesting and enjoyable for me. Also the reveal of Xiahou Dan's identity/past was done so well.
Although the author didn't hesitate to kill off characters I felt like killing off page and years later was a cop out. Other than this I still enjoyed the deaths of the other stories because it made the stakes of the story feel real. A fight for the throne is bloody so you can't possibly expect all your allies and friends to narrowly miss death each time.
The story at first seems lighthearted but eventually reveals another side as the fight for the throne intensified. There were some parts in the beginning where I thought the story was being too heavy handed in explaining things and other parts where you just have to go along with it like the secret guard amount. Mentioned that there were only about 20 or so them but throughout the story they were dropping like flies so there must be a lot more of them. But overall it was a fun ride and I loved how there was a catalyst for Wang Cuihua transmigration.
Wang Cuihua, typical corporate drone (as she calls herself), suddenly finds herself waking up in a novel she was reading about –The Demonic Consort, a cliche villain transmigration story – as the female lead of the novel within the novel, aka, as the villain of the novel she was reading. Talk about meta!
The female lead of the novel, Xie Yong'er, and the male lead, Xiahou Bo, are destined to be together, and for our MC, who wakes up in the body of Yu Wanyin, the original female lead, are the main hurdles for her to live prosperously.
Except, YWY already knows that Xie Yong'er is a transmigrator... and apart from that, much to her surprise, even the Emperor – Xiahou Dan, brother to Xiahou Bo and the main villain in both novels – is from the same world as her.
Safe to say, I loved this book! Not only is every character well written, even the plot is intricately built, and the romance builds slowly and steadily! There's no rush, no luck or chance, or deus ex machina to conveniently drive the plot.
Emperor Dan and Yu Wanyin, clearly from a modern society, have a modern romance in a historical setting which is very refreshing to see! Romance aside, the development of the characters going from being unused to historical society, to surviving in it, to wanting to make it better since they're in a position of power to do so is also brilliantly done.
On that topic, we have some really good representation here – a trans woman unable to live her authentic self, but finding acceptance in her family and friends; a cross dressing woman who wishes to serve the country, but can only do so dressed as a man. Brilliant cast of side characters, honestly.
I can't praise the book more, except that I will urge everyone to read it! There was one twist that I did not see coming, and it really explained a lot of minute details. That elevated the story honestly.
Lastly, kudos to the translator! They've done a brilliant job!
10/15/24 I wavered b/t 2-3 stars cuz for me it really was just okay - the ending kinda made up for it but the rest of it was very ... "what is the point?" Also the utter lack of trust and communication and where was the relationship development ... it just felt more like partnership survival than love - meh I dunno - even if it was sweet ten days after reading it my impression of this book just isn't that great.
I'm not mad I read it but this one really would be like "why bother" - would def not rec it to people.
D++ ~*~*~*~ C1 FL is Yu WanYin ML is XiaHou Dan (“irl” Zhang San)
C7 wait so is the emperor really just a transmigrated minor actor? I don’t know how I feel about anyone or anything!
C8 omg so frustrating re: the crown prince and WTF emperor - what was even the point of this chapter?! Just child abuse? PAY ATTENTION TO THE KID. And wtf with this random empress
C9 uhhh why is the minister of revenue mentioning the empress dowager who is already dead “recognizing/rewarding” the scholar? Wait so 8 was a random flashback of ML he’s not actually an actor but transmigrated young? But … no cuz ML & FL uproot the flowers… Ugh what a mess Also who is A Bei (really) & how does he know ML?!
10 😱 seriously what is up with ML (and his aversion to touch…)
26 after all that it almost seemed too “easy” for them to be together. Only obviously it wasn’t, cuz damn. 😜 also I want more A Bei
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A story with a light and comedic tone that somehow becomes one of the most interesting and tragic palace intrigue plots. All the characters are rather fleshed out and have interesting motivations. The antagonist is fantastic, and honestly my type haha it’d been interesting to see him get a redemption arc, but alas.
decided to read the book cause of the cliffhangers from the donghua i think this is the first time ive read a chinese novel with so many notable character deaths
how do you know whether the reality that we believe in is not some plot/story in somebody else's reality? >> CUE EXISTENTIAL CRISIS
Excellent story! It started out slow and comedic, but it is filled with intrigue, surprises, assassinations, and other good stuff. Loving the donghua as well.