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儘管夜明宮不再隱沒黑暗中，然而壽雪因對命運的恚恨，依然被內心的空虛束縛。近來後宮的一連串詭祕事件，幕後黑手竟是威脅烏漣娘娘信仰的神祕教派所為？
「然因怨、嗔而心累之人，不思不想，亦是解脫之法。」
一股難以形容的焦躁感，正在壽雪的胸口熊熊燃燒。與他人的緣分一旦被牽起，就無法輕易被剪斷，就連迴蕩在夜明宮中習以為常的孤寂，也逐漸令壽雪感到難以忍受。
夜明宮的來訪者依舊絡繹不絕：泊鶴宮遭詛咒侵擾的侍女、徘徊內廷的老僕幽鬼，看似毫不相干的兩起事件，卻有相同起源？新上任的官員令狐之季，短期內獲得皇帝高峻重用，然而他右邊袖口赫然有一只手，正輕執他的衣袖……身為富賈之女的鶴妃，戴上家裡送來的金鐲後，隨即被附著其上的詛咒侵蝕神智而高燒不退，種種跡象皆指向近日興起的詭祕宗教——八真教，教主白雷衝著烏漣娘娘而來的強烈惡意，令壽雪全身發顫，也昭示了「烏」的力量正日漸衰退……
命運依然持續向眾人拋出糾結的謎團：在後宮內廷，竟有一座為了抵禦烏漣娘娘而建的宮殿？
唯一能與上古神祇鼇神溝通的小女孩隱娘，其所傳遞的神諭是否會為壽雪帶來浩劫？
無論是高峻、壽雪或是之季，心中都藏著一處無法被光照亮的晦暗陰影，每個人都以不同方式面對心中難以放下的怨懟與執著，壽雪背負著無法被化解的仇恨繼續前行，而高峻依然為自己失去了憎恨對象感到無比寂寥與空蕩。
另一方面，高峻透過某個關鍵，竟抓住了將烏從壽雪體內解放的那一線光明……？
「然因怨、嗔而心累之人，不思不想，亦是解脫之法。」
一股難以形容的焦躁感，正在壽雪的胸口熊熊燃燒。與他人的緣分一旦被牽起，就無法輕易被剪斷，就連迴蕩在夜明宮中習以為常的孤寂，也逐漸令壽雪感到難以忍受。
夜明宮的來訪者依舊絡繹不絕：泊鶴宮遭詛咒侵擾的侍女、徘徊內廷的老僕幽鬼，看似毫不相干的兩起事件，卻有相同起源？新上任的官員令狐之季，短期內獲得皇帝高峻重用，然而他右邊袖口赫然有一只手，正輕執他的衣袖……身為富賈之女的鶴妃，戴上家裡送來的金鐲後，隨即被附著其上的詛咒侵蝕神智而高燒不退，種種跡象皆指向近日興起的詭祕宗教——八真教，教主白雷衝著烏漣娘娘而來的強烈惡意，令壽雪全身發顫，也昭示了「烏」的力量正日漸衰退……
命運依然持續向眾人拋出糾結的謎團：在後宮內廷，竟有一座為了抵禦烏漣娘娘而建的宮殿？
唯一能與上古神祇鼇神溝通的小女孩隱娘，其所傳遞的神諭是否會為壽雪帶來浩劫？
無論是高峻、壽雪或是之季，心中都藏著一處無法被光照亮的晦暗陰影，每個人都以不同方式面對心中難以放下的怨懟與執著，壽雪背負著無法被化解的仇恨繼續前行，而高峻依然為自己失去了憎恨對象感到無比寂寥與空蕩。
另一方面，高峻透過某個關鍵，竟抓住了將烏從壽雪體內解放的那一線光明……？
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2019
52 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Kouko Shirakawa
45 books29 followersEnglish：Kouko Shirakawa
Japanese：白川 紺子
Traditional Chinese：白川紺子
Japanese：白川 紺子
Traditional Chinese：白川紺子
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 13, 2024
"Save me"
She felt like her plea for salvation that she had cast out into the darkness had finally been heard.
خدای من خدای من! چقدر عاشقشونم. جوستسوی عزیزم🫂
این جلد نشانههایی از امیدواری داشت✨️
She felt like her plea for salvation that she had cast out into the darkness had finally been heard.
خدای من خدای من! چقدر عاشقشونم. جوستسوی عزیزم🫂
این جلد نشانههایی از امیدواری داشت✨️
October 29, 2023
This is more Koshun's book than Jusetsu's, but that works for where the story is going.
April 21, 2024
Reading this series is like watching a tapestry being woven, except you don’t know what the final image is intended to look like, and each chapter zooms in on only a small part of the whole. It does this in a very engaging and well polished way and I’m all for what this story is serving up. I these small pieces getting slowly unveiled, and pondering how they’re all going to fit together in the end. This volume was a bit slower paced than the others with less overall action, but man did it still drop some bombshell details and intriguing tidbits to further along the overall mystery.
This series plot and character work are both top notch, but I am reluctant to give it the higher score it deserves just because the translation and editing of the volumes can be a bit of a hit and miss - they’re are several typos and oddly worded sentences that just detract from the overall experience of reading when you have to pause and go back to try and make sense of an incomplete sentence. I wish the overall presentation of these volumes had been given the attention to detail they deserve.
This series plot and character work are both top notch, but I am reluctant to give it the higher score it deserves just because the translation and editing of the volumes can be a bit of a hit and miss - they’re are several typos and oddly worded sentences that just detract from the overall experience of reading when you have to pause and go back to try and make sense of an incomplete sentence. I wish the overall presentation of these volumes had been given the attention to detail they deserve.
April 17, 2024
Die Struktur der Kapitel ist immer noch gleich. Jusetsu erhält einen Auftrag und erfüllt ihn. Diesmal wird aber zunehmend auf die Vergangenheit einiger Charaktere eingegangen und allmählich ändern sich auch einige Gedanken der Charaktere über einander. Besonders Eisei Abneigung gegen Jusetsu fängt an weniger zu werden. Es entstehen für ihn in Konflikt stehende Gefühle und die Darstellung finde ich wunderbar gelungen.
Ich finde diese Entwicklung sehr schön und zeitlich auch passend. Mittlerweile befinden sie sich in einer regnerischen sommerlichen Zeit nach dem wir die Charaktere den letzten Winter/Frühling verfolgen durften. Mehrfach wird drauf eingegangen, dass das Wetter feucht und schwül ist oder dass die Charaktere zur Temperatur passende Kleidung tragen. Besonders schön finde ich aber, dass Jusetsu zunehmend andere Färben trägt bspw. Pomegranate Red oder Scarlet. Außer der neuen Jahreszeit kommt ein neuer Charakter hinzu, der in Jusetsu Alter ist und unbedingt mit ihr interagieren möchte. Ich finde es toll, dass Jusetsu sich langsam immer mehr mit Leuten abgibt. Sie lernt gerade wirklich, was es heißt, ein Mensch mit Gefühlen zu sein.
Die Stimmung des Buchs ist jedoch immer noch dunkel und düster. Es entsteht allmählich ein Gefühl der bösen Vorahnung. Irgendetwas fängt an uns als Leser böse in die Seite zu stechen. Ich freue mich schon drauf, was es sein wird.
Ich finde diese Entwicklung sehr schön und zeitlich auch passend. Mittlerweile befinden sie sich in einer regnerischen sommerlichen Zeit nach dem wir die Charaktere den letzten Winter/Frühling verfolgen durften. Mehrfach wird drauf eingegangen, dass das Wetter feucht und schwül ist oder dass die Charaktere zur Temperatur passende Kleidung tragen. Besonders schön finde ich aber, dass Jusetsu zunehmend andere Färben trägt bspw. Pomegranate Red oder Scarlet. Außer der neuen Jahreszeit kommt ein neuer Charakter hinzu, der in Jusetsu Alter ist und unbedingt mit ihr interagieren möchte. Ich finde es toll, dass Jusetsu sich langsam immer mehr mit Leuten abgibt. Sie lernt gerade wirklich, was es heißt, ein Mensch mit Gefühlen zu sein.
Die Stimmung des Buchs ist jedoch immer noch dunkel und düster. Es entsteht allmählich ein Gefühl der bösen Vorahnung. Irgendetwas fängt an uns als Leser böse in die Seite zu stechen. Ich freue mich schon drauf, was es sein wird.
September 9, 2024
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Still grammatical errors (the publishing company should have really fixed that)
But I enjoyed all the surprises and banka don't you be doing anything to my girl Jusetsu
Still grammatical errors (the publishing company should have really fixed that)
But I enjoyed all the surprises and banka don't you be doing anything to my girl Jusetsu
January 30, 2025
politics and religion are becoming more intertwined in this volume which makes it a bit more of a heavier read. however, the development of the side characters such as Eisei and Tankai makes it more enjoyable. I love seeing the growth of Jusetsu. her trying to balance her duty and her feelings and emotions was made for a more layered read. I want to see more of Koshun with her though.
September 13, 2025
Adore the way all these little pieces are coming back together, the wya characters connect back, it's so satisfying. I think the previous volume fit my preferences a bit more but damn this series keeps getting more intriguing and more tightly connected. Even seeing the different characters' perspectives and what they realize but don't share is so fun as a reader.
January 14, 2024
4.5⭐
Another amazing volume in the series. After what happened with the Magpie Consort last time, things seem to have calmed down in the inner palace… at least on the surface. Jusetsu continues to ponder about what the Owl said, and despite feeling guilty for not sticking to her predecessor's teachings, she can't seem to stop connecting with others. This book has a clear theme of people having more than just one side, showing the many conflicting layers of human emotions, and Jusetsu herself is no exception.
Just like the previous volumes, each chapter features a case for Jusetsu to solve. This time, we have a lady-in-waiting haunted by a ghost outside her door, the ghost of a regretful manservant from a past era, and a scholar with a ghostly hand pulling on his sleeve. All of these cases are connected to a certain cult that worships an ancient god on the verge of reviving, which leads to a familiar side character exiting the scene and leaving us with the sense of foreboding. There is also a subtle hint as of why Jusetsu was warned not to bond with anyone. As she makes new friends and saves a consort's life towards the end, she finds herself taken aback by how people are starting to hold her in reverence… which is not all that different from the ancient god's cult.
Oh, and there's also an interesting revelation about Eisei and Jusetsu.
Overall, the book keeps the somber and ominous tone that's been here since the first volume. It's so well-written, mostly serious but with lighthearted scenes sprinkled all over to balance it out. This one is less lore-heavy than the previous volumes and has little to no action, but the generally creepy atmosphere makes up for it.
My only issue with this particular book is the amount of typos and errors. Not even grammatical errors anymore, but mixing up character names or even sentences that don't make any sense. It doesn't exactly ruin the book, but extremely distracting. What happened during the editing process? Do you need more editors? Or proofreaders?Hire me if you do. It's such a shame because the book is really good, so hopefully volume 4 won't suffer from this issue.
Another amazing volume in the series. After what happened with the Magpie Consort last time, things seem to have calmed down in the inner palace… at least on the surface. Jusetsu continues to ponder about what the Owl said, and despite feeling guilty for not sticking to her predecessor's teachings, she can't seem to stop connecting with others. This book has a clear theme of people having more than just one side, showing the many conflicting layers of human emotions, and Jusetsu herself is no exception.
Just like the previous volumes, each chapter features a case for Jusetsu to solve. This time, we have a lady-in-waiting haunted by a ghost outside her door, the ghost of a regretful manservant from a past era, and a scholar with a ghostly hand pulling on his sleeve. All of these cases are connected to a certain cult that worships an ancient god on the verge of reviving, which leads to a familiar side character exiting the scene and leaving us with the sense of foreboding. There is also a subtle hint as of why Jusetsu was warned not to bond with anyone. As she makes new friends and saves a consort's life towards the end, she finds herself taken aback by how people are starting to hold her in reverence… which is not all that different from the ancient god's cult.
Oh, and there's also an interesting revelation about Eisei and Jusetsu.
Overall, the book keeps the somber and ominous tone that's been here since the first volume. It's so well-written, mostly serious but with lighthearted scenes sprinkled all over to balance it out. This one is less lore-heavy than the previous volumes and has little to no action, but the generally creepy atmosphere makes up for it.
My only issue with this particular book is the amount of typos and errors. Not even grammatical errors anymore, but mixing up character names or even sentences that don't make any sense. It doesn't exactly ruin the book, but extremely distracting. What happened during the editing process? Do you need more editors? Or proofreaders?
May 25, 2024
The story goes deeper. There are now more people involve. Government, religion are at play, and there are now people who wants to get rid of the Raven consort. It’s getting more and more interesting
June 19, 2025
Questo terzo volume ci porta oltre gli eventi raccontati nell'anime: vengono introdotti nuovi personaggi e la trama continua ad infittirsi in un mix particolare di politica e religione. Ma ad attirare l'attenzione è soprattutto lo spazio dedicato ai dubbi e ai tormenti dei due protagonisti.
Dopo gli eventi narrati nel volume precedente, Jusetsu si trova a dover fare i conti con le sue paure - dove finisce Jusetsu e dove inizia il Corvo - e con il contrasto che si viene a creare tra il timore di aver tradito gli insegnamenti della Consorte Corvo che l'ha preceduta e la volontà di circondarsi di persone che tengono seriamente a lei. Quella solitudine che aveva accettato come parte del suo destino, diventa sempre più insostenibile. E finalmente c'è qualcuno che ha sentito il suo grido di aiuto ed è pronto a fare di tutto per venire in suo soccorso e liberarla da un destino che sembra già scritto. È davvero possibile liberare sia Uren che la giovane donna che la ospita? È davvero possibile farlo senza mandare tutto alla malora, senza distruggere il delicato equilibrio venutosi a creare tra il Sovrano dell'Estate e quello dell'inverno?Per ora non c'è ancora una risposta, ma Koshun non ha alcuna intenzione di arrendersi e vuole ridare a Jusetsu la sua libertà.
Anche il suo è un personaggio decisamente interessante: dietro la sua maschera impassibile, si agitano emozioni profonde e, a tratti, violente (come l'odio nei confronti della defunta imperatrice vedova, un odio che non è venuto meno nemmeno dopo la morte della sua nemica numero uno e che non lo abbandona). Sono proprio curiosa di vedere come evolverà questo personaggio.
Come scritto prima, è molto accattivante la combo tra politica e religione - qualcosa si muove dietro le quinte, tanto più che qualcuno ha attentato alla vita di Jusetsu. E se il potere di Uren sembra essere entrato in un periodo di crisi (dopotutto quasi nessuno venera più questa dea e i suoi altari sono caduti in rovina), c'è qualche altra divinità che sta tornando in auge e che rischia di creare problemi. Vedremo come procederanno le cose nel quarto volume.
Piccola nota a margine sull'edizione in inglese: i tre volumi che ho letto finora sono abbastanza pieni di errori grammaticali, di battitura e di traduzione. Diciamo che il lavoro di editing non è stato dei migliori, purtroppo.
Dopo gli eventi narrati nel volume precedente, Jusetsu si trova a dover fare i conti con le sue paure - dove finisce Jusetsu e dove inizia il Corvo - e con il contrasto che si viene a creare tra il timore di aver tradito gli insegnamenti della Consorte Corvo che l'ha preceduta e la volontà di circondarsi di persone che tengono seriamente a lei. Quella solitudine che aveva accettato come parte del suo destino, diventa sempre più insostenibile. E finalmente c'è qualcuno che ha sentito il suo grido di aiuto ed è pronto a fare di tutto per venire in suo soccorso e liberarla da un destino che sembra già scritto. È davvero possibile liberare sia Uren che la giovane donna che la ospita? È davvero possibile farlo senza mandare tutto alla malora, senza distruggere il delicato equilibrio venutosi a creare tra il Sovrano dell'Estate e quello dell'inverno?Per ora non c'è ancora una risposta, ma Koshun non ha alcuna intenzione di arrendersi e vuole ridare a Jusetsu la sua libertà.
Anche il suo è un personaggio decisamente interessante: dietro la sua maschera impassibile, si agitano emozioni profonde e, a tratti, violente (come l'odio nei confronti della defunta imperatrice vedova, un odio che non è venuto meno nemmeno dopo la morte della sua nemica numero uno e che non lo abbandona). Sono proprio curiosa di vedere come evolverà questo personaggio.
Come scritto prima, è molto accattivante la combo tra politica e religione - qualcosa si muove dietro le quinte, tanto più che qualcuno ha attentato alla vita di Jusetsu. E se il potere di Uren sembra essere entrato in un periodo di crisi (dopotutto quasi nessuno venera più questa dea e i suoi altari sono caduti in rovina), c'è qualche altra divinità che sta tornando in auge e che rischia di creare problemi. Vedremo come procederanno le cose nel quarto volume.
Piccola nota a margine sull'edizione in inglese: i tre volumi che ho letto finora sono abbastanza pieni di errori grammaticali, di battitura e di traduzione. Diciamo che il lavoro di editing non è stato dei migliori, purtroppo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2023
Another amazing book in the series - we learn more lore and more twists appear. The plot still keeps being episodic, but the focus shifts more towards the main topic of the Raven and the origin of the Raven Consort.
For those coming from the anime - this book has stuff not covered in anime anymore. I would still recommend reading the prior 2 as well, but anime did a good job covering them.
As for typos...I am convinced the editor quit or just took the piss halfway through, because the closer we got to the end the more typos there were, some properly idiotic, including but not limited to mixing names of characters when the character it was mixed with wasn't even present or mentioned. Like HOW? Please ask another editor to read it from back to front, maybe that might fix this continuous problem....?
For those coming from the anime - this book has stuff not covered in anime anymore. I would still recommend reading the prior 2 as well, but anime did a good job covering them.
As for typos...I am convinced the editor quit or just took the piss halfway through, because the closer we got to the end the more typos there were, some properly idiotic, including but not limited to mixing names of characters when the character it was mixed with wasn't even present or mentioned. Like HOW? Please ask another editor to read it from back to front, maybe that might fix this continuous problem....?
October 11, 2023
Volume 3's events are well beyond where the Raven of the Inner Palace animated adaptation ended, so if you held off on buying the books after watching the anime, join us! Jusetsu and the other Inner Palace characters continue to develop, and a few new ones are introduced. The stories in each section are satisfying stand-alone reads, but all add up to the overall storyline. After dropping some possible hometown connections, the book ends on a satisfying note while also setting things up for volume 4. However, volume 3 seemed sloppier than the previous 2, with some errors in the wording. The errors were not enough to ruin the story, but they were unwelcome distractions. I do appreciate that the publisher finally added a brief character guide and maps to the beginning of this volume, so I'm still very much looking forward to volume 4.
December 19, 2024
Here is where I stop the series. Ultimately, the simple writing style of this light novel series catches up with it, and the formula of expositional, slow world building and secret-revealing wears thin. It fails to justify being as long as it is. The progression of relationships between all the leads, while realistic, is also far too slow, especially in novel form.
The core "mysteries" of the ghosts still hold some decent drama and emotional moments, particularly as the stakes climb higher and higher. But also, I have realized that these are not truly mysteries as they were earlier in the series, because the solution is always hidden in someone's backstory or another coincidentally connected myth.
Nice concept for a series, and I don't regret my time with it.
The core "mysteries" of the ghosts still hold some decent drama and emotional moments, particularly as the stakes climb higher and higher. But also, I have realized that these are not truly mysteries as they were earlier in the series, because the solution is always hidden in someone's backstory or another coincidentally connected myth.
Nice concept for a series, and I don't regret my time with it.
October 31, 2023
always a good read
I love this author… In this series. The author is very talented at creating characters that are unique, and yet intriguing. I particularly love the raven consort, and the idea of the balancing kingdoms that are unknown to the general populace, but so essential to the kingdom. also the little bit of romance and tension is really kind of sweet. I really can’t wait to finish the fourth novel.
I love this author… In this series. The author is very talented at creating characters that are unique, and yet intriguing. I particularly love the raven consort, and the idea of the balancing kingdoms that are unknown to the general populace, but so essential to the kingdom. also the little bit of romance and tension is really kind of sweet. I really can’t wait to finish the fourth novel.
September 1, 2023
It's getting more confusing than before. I'm going to see it through, but I'm not especially taken by the story. The things that are the most interesting to me are the smaller stuff, how everyone's relationships are evolving and such, and the "small" mystery or the part of them that are not linked to the "bigger picture".
September 29, 2023
Though I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Vol 2, it was excellent. The world really expands here as we get to leave the imperial estate and get many new characters’ POVs. More about the gods is revealed and Jusetsu faces more new threats. I am excited for the next Vol and sad that Vol 5 won’t be out till Nov…
November 2, 2023
It was still good. But the only reason why it was 1 star short was the lack of action. Well, what can I say I love big events happening in my book. But the great thing about it tho was it did lacked action but the revelations…well it had a lot this time around. So overall still a good one.
February 14, 2024
I felt like this book was alot better in the writing. Almost like more thought was added. Not as much: he said this, she said thta, theyd id this. But more description and fluff was added. And i liked that alot! Could also be a translation thing.
Need to buy vol 4 now >.< !
Need to buy vol 4 now >.< !
May 14, 2025
对于整个系列的总体评价是，这是披着中华奇幻风的皮，实际上讲述的是现代人的空虚寂寞和童年创伤的故事。
女主寿雪为什么要替人解决各种灵异怪事？其实她被困在宫中，又是乌妃的身份导致大家对她敬而远之，从而想要排解心中的孤独寂寞。
而这书里的人，表面上虽然可能和和谐，但是背地里却能做下咒毒杀之事。生活在这样环境中的乌妃也变得越来越无助，虽然她有法术，但终究还是十六岁的少女。
虽然整个系列看不太清走向，但是从皇帝那边还是看到了一个主线，就是结束乌妃的诅咒，解放乌又同时不要伤害乌妃的性命。
女主寿雪为什么要替人解决各种灵异怪事？其实她被困在宫中，又是乌妃的身份导致大家对她敬而远之，从而想要排解心中的孤独寂寞。
而这书里的人，表面上虽然可能和和谐，但是背地里却能做下咒毒杀之事。生活在这样环境中的乌妃也变得越来越无助，虽然她有法术，但终究还是十六岁的少女。
虽然整个系列看不太清走向，但是从皇帝那边还是看到了一个主线，就是结束乌妃的诅咒，解放乌又同时不要伤害乌妃的性命。
July 12, 2025
Me costo un poco seguir la idea con los temas de política y los cargos de diferentes funcionarios públicos.
Hay revelaciones interesantes a lo largo de la novela que me dejaron con la boca abierta, espero que desarrollen más esos temas en los demás volúmenes
Hay revelaciones interesantes a lo largo de la novela que me dejaron con la boca abierta, espero que desarrollen más esos temas en los demás volúmenes
August 5, 2025
This volume takes us past the anime and into new territory, as Jusetsu's circle expands and Koshun focuses on ruling. Overall, I like the direction of the plot, but the writing feels stilted and bland.
August 10, 2025
Finally made it to volume 3! Ah I cannot wait for the anime to come back! I hope we get another season! I loved it so much and really enjoy this story. The mysterious vibe and the way the raven consort finally is opening up! Koshen is dreamy!
August 29, 2023
Things get more complicated - in terms of mythology, relationship, as well as court politics!
September 29, 2024
Enjoyed this a lot. I think if you like The Apothecary Diaries, you may like Raven of the Inner Palace as well.
April 13, 2025
this is such a chill read, I literally finished it in a day🌚
March 21, 2022
This series is just too good. Is my whole top 10 of the year gonna be from this series? I don't mind, because I don't want them to get worse xD
This series has so many different types of characters, that are all so well developed and develop throughout the story, and it's so much fun to watch them interact and grow. I was already very fond of JuJu, Jiyusetsu and Koujiyun, but in this volume I've also really come to love Onkei. He got a bigger part in this one, and man, he's awesome.
Structure-wise, this issue is similar to the previous ones, small mysteries, with more progress to solving the bigger one in the background. In this volume the smaller mysteries were even smaller, and way more connected to the main storyline than in the other volumes. On the one hand this meant the we learned a lot in this volume, on the other hand the smaller mysteries were too easily solved and were mainly there to progress the plot.
In this volume we learned A LOT about the world. Obviously, it's in a world based on early Japan/China/Korea court life, but I think this was the first volume that made it really clear that this isn't set in any actual country, but in a fantasy land. This volume included a world map, and a map of the palace grounds, which was a nice touch and gave me a sense of the actual world before diving into the story. I have to admit I usually skip maps in books, but I did look at this one before starting the story.
Now, since this series is so good, I'm going to nitpick a bit. Eisei's attitude shift felt a bit too abrupt. It wasn't out of place, it made sense, I just feel like the switch was a bit sudden. And because this series has been so good with its set-ups, I feel like it could definitely have been done better. It wasn't bad AT ALL, just not as amazing as some of the other things.
The first case was predictable. At first I thought maybe I was understanding the way this series gives clues, but it was the only super obvious one, the others were more of the "yeah, I should've seen this coming" variety (which I love).
The cases itself felt weaker in this volume, they played a smaller role than in the other volumes. I'm sure some people prefer that, and some people don't. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, I loved the extra worldbuilding and learning about the bigger problems, but I also found myself missing the smaller issues, and felt like they were solved too quickly to have much impact on their own.
These complaints are all very nitpicky, because this book was REALLY good. I love the world, I love the characters, I love the politics, I love the magic and ghosts, and I love the way the characters interact with each other. I'm so excited to read more of this series, and watch these characters grow even more.
This series has so many different types of characters, that are all so well developed and develop throughout the story, and it's so much fun to watch them interact and grow. I was already very fond of JuJu, Jiyusetsu and Koujiyun, but in this volume I've also really come to love Onkei. He got a bigger part in this one, and man, he's awesome.
Structure-wise, this issue is similar to the previous ones, small mysteries, with more progress to solving the bigger one in the background. In this volume the smaller mysteries were even smaller, and way more connected to the main storyline than in the other volumes. On the one hand this meant the we learned a lot in this volume, on the other hand the smaller mysteries were too easily solved and were mainly there to progress the plot.
In this volume we learned A LOT about the world. Obviously, it's in a world based on early Japan/China/Korea court life, but I think this was the first volume that made it really clear that this isn't set in any actual country, but in a fantasy land. This volume included a world map, and a map of the palace grounds, which was a nice touch and gave me a sense of the actual world before diving into the story. I have to admit I usually skip maps in books, but I did look at this one before starting the story.
Now, since this series is so good, I'm going to nitpick a bit. Eisei's attitude shift felt a bit too abrupt. It wasn't out of place, it made sense, I just feel like the switch was a bit sudden. And because this series has been so good with its set-ups, I feel like it could definitely have been done better. It wasn't bad AT ALL, just not as amazing as some of the other things.
The first case was predictable. At first I thought maybe I was understanding the way this series gives clues, but it was the only super obvious one, the others were more of the "yeah, I should've seen this coming" variety (which I love).
The cases itself felt weaker in this volume, they played a smaller role than in the other volumes. I'm sure some people prefer that, and some people don't. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, I loved the extra worldbuilding and learning about the bigger problems, but I also found myself missing the smaller issues, and felt like they were solved too quickly to have much impact on their own.
These complaints are all very nitpicky, because this book was REALLY good. I love the world, I love the characters, I love the politics, I love the magic and ghosts, and I love the way the characters interact with each other. I'm so excited to read more of this series, and watch these characters grow even more.
February 25, 2023
《後宮之烏3：水面之下》第一個故事〈雨夜之訪〉延續前面兩集部份篇章給我的感受，也就是本以為對方和自己所抱持的情感是相近的，未料即使理智上明白不該怪罪活下來的倖存者，實際上對方依然抵擋不了內心爆發開來的埋怨之情，這份無法輕易訴諸任何人，甚至自己也未必知曉、潛藏在內心深處的心意，為倖存者帶來詛咒，使她不得安寧。後續篇章〈龜王〉、〈執袖之手〉、〈黃昏寶珠〉雖然也有壽雪解決委託人的困擾或是超渡幽鬼的情節，但比起當事人本身的狀況，透露出來的資訊量反而較令我關注。
〈龜王〉意外遇到一個上千年前的幽鬼，至今仍被困在無法救回主子的悲傷之中。這個故事帶出更古遠之前的時代風貌，也隱約透露烏漣娘娘除了已知的情報以外，還有其他籠罩在黑暗裡未能瞭解的情況，連帶讓人不由得揣測烏漣娘娘當初會在冬王被殺害之後，長達五百年無法選出新任冬王，或許不是對人類不滿，而是當時的烏漣娘娘力量不足以完成這項任務。這一點或許跟上古神明鼇神有關聯也不一定？新任冬官千里的推論我覺得很有趣，他的假設為霄國這塊信仰不衰的土地建構起一個豐富的宗教演變史，單是想像這段漫長時光，鼇神、烏漣娘娘和眾多新興宗教是怎麼輪番在霄國人生活裡有一席之地，那些神明又是怎麼在人們內心漸漸消褪？而宗教勢力的此消彼長意味著霄國人當時面臨怎麼樣的狀況，才會直接間接的有了信仰上的轉向？這樣慢慢分析下來真的很有意思，頓時感到霄國這塊土地的歷史非常遼闊且充滿未知的樂趣。
《後宮之烏》出現好幾件名份相似，但內在蘊含的情感大不相同的關係，例如兄妹。第二集出現親兄妹無緣、雙雙赴死的悲戀，這一集則出現雖為義兄妹，卻無法投注兄妹之情以外的感情，單戀的那一方雖然平靜接受、另嫁他人，讓這段單相思暫且告一段落，但日後在婆家遭遇不測，亟欲為義妹復仇的令狐之季心裡卻隱隱愧疚，明知道哪怕時光倒轉，對於義妹小明的告白仍是同樣發自真心的回答，卻無法阻止自己去想像其他可能性：「如果自己做出改變，小明是否就不會遭此厄運？事情就能好轉嗎？兩人的關係就能一如從前嗎？」不停地在內心迴盪著沒有答案的問題，承受著看不到盡頭的煎熬。
第三集新登場的宦官淡海也滿可愛的，可以輕易跟陌生人打成一片，笑嘻嘻地跟大部分的人和睦相處，但自己的真心和底細卻不會輕易透露出來。感覺得出溫螢不擅長跟淡海相處的原因，溫螢總是神情淡漠，過去經歷和宦官受訓而來的教養也讓他傾向低調冷淡的態度，但仍然可透過神情變化察覺出他難掩內心的波動，這樣的溫螢一旦遇到可以信任的主君就會全心全意鼎力相助，而且不見得有意識到自己對主君已是全然付出。衛青看出溫螢的狀態已不再只忠於高峻，並為此焦躁不安。而淡海在人情世故的分際上拿捏得非常精準，可內心一隅仍保留給自己，不會全然交給主君，大概就是這份與溫螢不同的特質讓他擔憂豪放不羈的淡海會背棄壽雪吧。
動畫對於前任冬官薛魚泳最後的安排跟小說不同，動畫是薛魚泳直闖夜明宮，向當事人壽雪表達心中的深惡痛絕之情，並欲行刺烏妃之時被高峻等人及時阻止；小說是夏高峻查案後，震驚宵月可掩人耳目入宮竟是出自薛魚泳放行的真相，獨自找薛魚泳攤牌。兩種安排我都相當喜歡，動畫讓兩位主角一起解決危機後互相寬慰的安排正好適合第一季動畫的收尾；小說則是高峻暗中解決危機，再回到壽雪身邊若無其事的相處，爾後壽雪透過高峻、千里有些不自然的反應瞭然薛魚泳隱情，並冷靜的接受。小說第二集的安排展現出高峻對壽雪的保護，希望盡量避免讓她知道痛苦之事而暗自受傷，我本來以為之後壽雪就是單方面被隱瞞到底，沒想到壽雪不但察覺薛魚泳的最後，還用自己的方式理解到魚泳的真正想法。這一點透露出壽雪對於人情世故在某方面相當敏銳，她的內在也比高峻預想的堅強。
按照第三集提供的情報，過往疑似跟烏漣娘娘處在敵對立場的神明鼇神力量逐漸復甦，而烏漣娘娘數百年來服用烏妃供奉的形同劇毒的花朵而喪失自我意識和神力，不知道這段神明之間的關係會怎麼發展？有辦法讓烏漣娘娘恢復神智，掙脫香薔設下的束縛，讓烏與烏妃不再痛苦的命運相連嗎？而擔任寶物庫管理人的羽衣竟是鼇神的使部，鼇神力量日漸恢復，這一切又會為高峻、壽雪等人甚至整個霄國有何影響？
壽雪的身世也有好幾層隱密在小說裡揭露，羽衣離去前稱呼壽雪「杼（ㄓㄨˋ）公主」，暗示壽雪不只是前朝欒氏的族人，也有一千八百年前的杼王朝王室血統。忽然覺得烏漣娘娘是否就是相中壽雪的血統適合讓她肩負重任，在這一任烏妃解決掉千年來的所有問題而挑上壽雪成為繼任冬王？梟在本集開始用海螺跟高峻通訊，要求身為夏王的他想辦法可以不用殺害壽雪也能分離她和烏漣娘娘的妥善辦法，看到這裡，頓時感覺梟還滿好說話的，至少他還有溝通談話的意願，能夠好好跟高峻那一方攜手合作，找出兩全其美的解決對策。不過，既然如此為什麼一開始搞鵲妃那一齣呢？還無端害死一個無辜侍女。
〈黃昏寶珠〉帶出鶴妃晚霞與其背後的娘家沙那賣家，沙那賣家的傳家寶淵源讓我想起白素貞盜走蟾蜍精仙丹，平白多得數百年功力的故事。本以為晚霞待在後宮算是替娘家刺探宮廷情報，以便作為沙那賣家族審時度勢的參考，實際上晚霞也有回報各種宮廷動態，但沙那賣家的隱情為晚霞留下無法抹滅的痛苦，儘管對父親朝陽作為家主的能耐依然敬重愛戴，卻不想在失去被當作替死鬼的義妹後，再度為了自身存續害得其他人殞命，但無法反抗沙那賣家主和延續至今的家風，晚霞在家族和自身心意之間左右為難。但願晚霞這份目前還飄忽不定的心意在清晰後，晚霞的決定能為壽雪帶來良好的轉機，或至少不要帶來沙那賣家企圖將壽雪推向風口浪尖的危機。
畢竟壽雪的身份可以拿來利用之處實在太多了，一旦被城府深沉的朝陽察覺壽雪的隱密身份，不曉得會被拿來做什麼。本集朝陽處理家族內患的手段也令我頗為吃驚，一方面清理掉家族毒瘤，一方面在皇帝夏高峻面前博得好形象，讓沙那賣家從被治罪的危機中翻身，重新取得家族存在的正當性，而誘使叔父燃起不適當慾望的根苗，竟是朝陽安排到叔父身邊。看到後面朝陽和白雷的對話，覺得與這個人為敵真的相當可怕。也不曉得白雷為何一再遠端找壽雪的碴，看起來好像也不是受雇於沙那賣家主的因素，但願下一集能有些答案解惑。
第三集的當事者多半對自己的心理狀態和蟄伏深處的陰暗面有一定程度的病識感，或有人可以聽聞與分擔當事者的心事，真摯地為其哀傷、減輕心上重量，讀來因此不至於過於沉痛。又如晚霞為了家族事務憂慮，不知該怎麼抉擇，但可隱約窺見她的內心已漸漸萌生盼望家族作風改變的念頭，只是還不知道該怎麼做且不確定自己是否有足夠的力量，但單單這個念頭的雛形就令晚霞的故事開始得見一絲曙光。加上本集我的目光完全被世界觀呈現出來的壯闊遙遠時間感所吸引，儘管劇情延續著前面集數的憂鬱寂寥，可體感上覺得這一集的壓抑氛圍已輕微許多。
〈龜王〉意外遇到一個上千年前的幽鬼，至今仍被困在無法救回主子的悲傷之中。這個故事帶出更古遠之前的時代風貌，也隱約透露烏漣娘娘除了已知的情報以外，還有其他籠罩在黑暗裡未能瞭解的情況，連帶讓人不由得揣測烏漣娘娘當初會在冬王被殺害之後，長達五百年無法選出新任冬王，或許不是對人類不滿，而是當時的烏漣娘娘力量不足以完成這項任務。這一點或許跟上古神明鼇神有關聯也不一定？新任冬官千里的推論我覺得很有趣，他的假設為霄國這塊信仰不衰的土地建構起一個豐富的宗教演變史，單是想像這段漫長時光，鼇神、烏漣娘娘和眾多新興宗教是怎麼輪番在霄國人生活裡有一席之地，那些神明又是怎麼在人們內心漸漸消褪？而宗教勢力的此消彼長意味著霄國人當時面臨怎麼樣的狀況，才會直接間接的有了信仰上的轉向？這樣慢慢分析下來真的很有意思，頓時感到霄國這塊土地的歷史非常遼闊且充滿未知的樂趣。
《後宮之烏》出現好幾件名份相似，但內在蘊含的情感大不相同的關係，例如兄妹。第二集出現親兄妹無緣、雙雙赴死的悲戀，這一集則出現雖為義兄妹，卻無法投注兄妹之情以外的感情，單戀的那一方雖然平靜接受、另嫁他人，讓這段單相思暫且告一段落，但日後在婆家遭遇不測，亟欲為義妹復仇的令狐之季心裡卻隱隱愧疚，明知道哪怕時光倒轉，對於義妹小明的告白仍是同樣發自真心的回答，卻無法阻止自己去想像其他可能性：「如果自己做出改變，小明是否就不會遭此厄運？事情就能好轉嗎？兩人的關係就能一如從前嗎？」不停地在內心迴盪著沒有答案的問題，承受著看不到盡頭的煎熬。
第三集新登場的宦官淡海也滿可愛的，可以輕易跟陌生人打成一片，笑嘻嘻地跟大部分的人和睦相處，但自己的真心和底細卻不會輕易透露出來。感覺得出溫螢不擅長跟淡海相處的原因，溫螢總是神情淡漠，過去經歷和宦官受訓而來的教養也讓他傾向低調冷淡的態度，但仍然可透過神情變化察覺出他難掩內心的波動，這樣的溫螢一旦遇到可以信任的主君就會全心全意鼎力相助，而且不見得有意識到自己對主君已是全然付出。衛青看出溫螢的狀態已不再只忠於高峻，並為此焦躁不安。而淡海在人情世故的分際上拿捏得非常精準，可內心一隅仍保留給自己，不會全然交給主君，大概就是這份與溫螢不同的特質讓他擔憂豪放不羈的淡海會背棄壽雪吧。
動畫對於前任冬官薛魚泳最後的安排跟小說不同，動畫是薛魚泳直闖夜明宮，向當事人壽雪表達心中的深惡痛絕之情，並欲行刺烏妃之時被高峻等人及時阻止；小說是夏高峻查案後，震驚宵月可掩人耳目入宮竟是出自薛魚泳放行的真相，獨自找薛魚泳攤牌。兩種安排我都相當喜歡，動畫讓兩位主角一起解決危機後互相寬慰的安排正好適合第一季動畫的收尾；小說則是高峻暗中解決危機，再回到壽雪身邊若無其事的相處，爾後壽雪透過高峻、千里有些不自然的反應瞭然薛魚泳隱情，並冷靜的接受。小說第二集的安排展現出高峻對壽雪的保護，希望盡量避免讓她知道痛苦之事而暗自受傷，我本來以為之後壽雪就是單方面被隱瞞到底，沒想到壽雪不但察覺薛魚泳的最後，還用自己的方式理解到魚泳的真正想法。這一點透露出壽雪對於人情世故在某方面相當敏銳，她的內在也比高峻預想的堅強。
按照第三集提供的情報，過往疑似跟烏漣娘娘處在敵對立場的神明鼇神力量逐漸復甦，而烏漣娘娘數百年來服用烏妃供奉的形同劇毒的花朵而喪失自我意識和神力，不知道這段神明之間的關係會怎麼發展？有辦法讓烏漣娘娘恢復神智，掙脫香薔設下的束縛，讓烏與烏妃不再痛苦的命運相連嗎？而擔任寶物庫管理人的羽衣竟是鼇神的使部，鼇神力量日漸恢復，這一切又會為高峻、壽雪等人甚至整個霄國有何影響？
壽雪的身世也有好幾層隱密在小說裡揭露，羽衣離去前稱呼壽雪「杼（ㄓㄨˋ）公主」，暗示壽雪不只是前朝欒氏的族人，也有一千八百年前的杼王朝王室血統。忽然覺得烏漣娘娘是否就是相中壽雪的血統適合讓她肩負重任，在這一任烏妃解決掉千年來的所有問題而挑上壽雪成為繼任冬王？梟在本集開始用海螺跟高峻通訊，要求身為夏王的他想辦法可以不用殺害壽雪也能分離她和烏漣娘娘的妥善辦法，看到這裡，頓時感覺梟還滿好說話的，至少他還有溝通談話的意願，能夠好好跟高峻那一方攜手合作，找出兩全其美的解決對策。不過，既然如此為什麼一開始搞鵲妃那一齣呢？還無端害死一個無辜侍女。
〈黃昏寶珠〉帶出鶴妃晚霞與其背後的娘家沙那賣家，沙那賣家的傳家寶淵源讓我想起白素貞盜走蟾蜍精仙丹，平白多得數百年功力的故事。本以為晚霞待在後宮算是替娘家刺探宮廷情報，以便作為沙那賣家族審時度勢的參考，實際上晚霞也有回報各種宮廷動態，但沙那賣家的隱情為晚霞留下無法抹滅的痛苦，儘管對父親朝陽作為家主的能耐依然敬重愛戴，卻不想在失去被當作替死鬼的義妹後，再度為了自身存續害得其他人殞命，但無法反抗沙那賣家主和延續至今的家風，晚霞在家族和自身心意之間左右為難。但願晚霞這份目前還飄忽不定的心意在清晰後，晚霞的決定能為壽雪帶來良好的轉機，或至少不要帶來沙那賣家企圖將壽雪推向風口浪尖的危機。
畢竟壽雪的身份可以拿來利用之處實在太多了，一旦被城府深沉的朝陽察覺壽雪的隱密身份，不曉得會被拿來做什麼。本集朝陽處理家族內患的手段也令我頗為吃驚，一方面清理掉家族毒瘤，一方面在皇帝夏高峻面前博得好形象，讓沙那賣家從被治罪的危機中翻身，重新取得家族存在的正當性，而誘使叔父燃起不適當慾望的根苗，竟是朝陽安排到叔父身邊。看到後面朝陽和白雷的對話，覺得與這個人為敵真的相當可怕。也不曉得白雷為何一再遠端找壽雪的碴，看起來好像也不是受雇於沙那賣家主的因素，但願下一集能有些答案解惑。
第三集的當事者多半對自己的心理狀態和蟄伏深處的陰暗面有一定程度的病識感，或有人可以聽聞與分擔當事者的心事，真摯地為其哀傷、減輕心上重量，讀來因此不至於過於沉痛。又如晚霞為了家族事務憂慮，不知該怎麼抉擇，但可隱約窺見她的內心已漸漸萌生盼望家族作風改變的念頭，只是還不知道該怎麼做且不確定自己是否有足夠的力量，但單單這個念頭的雛形就令晚霞的故事開始得見一絲曙光。加上本集我的目光完全被世界觀呈現出來的壯闊遙遠時間感所吸引，儘管劇情延續著前面集數的憂鬱寂寥，可體感上覺得這一集的壓抑氛圍已輕微許多。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2025
With the defeat of the Owl, the threat on Jusetsu's life appears to be gone, but with the death of several high ranking officials and consorts new people arrive at the palace. People that come with their own share of problems, both supernatural and more mundane. The two are more closely connected than appears to be the case at first, and there might be a link with events of the past both ancient and more recent.
Like previous volumes the story is a mix of supernatural mystery, and romance. It has a more coherent plot though, one that is more about the nature of "gods", and mortal politics than ghosts. It are the characters and their development that keeps me hooked to the story. Its plot is fairly intriguing, but it does at times seems to be more about coincidences than active actions by the MCs. Some of those coincidences when it comes to (unknown) relations between characters are stretching things a bit (one is fine, but I came across at least four). For now I will leave those to the nature of the gods and fate in this story, but is one of those things that can cause me trouble with suspension of disbelieve.
Still, a good read and I am looking forward to volume 4.
Like previous volumes the story is a mix of supernatural mystery, and romance. It has a more coherent plot though, one that is more about the nature of "gods", and mortal politics than ghosts. It are the characters and their development that keeps me hooked to the story. Its plot is fairly intriguing, but it does at times seems to be more about coincidences than active actions by the MCs. Some of those coincidences when it comes to (unknown) relations between characters are stretching things a bit (one is fine, but I came across at least four). For now I will leave those to the nature of the gods and fate in this story, but is one of those things that can cause me trouble with suspension of disbelieve.
Still, a good read and I am looking forward to volume 4.
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