[SHORT REVIEWS] #26

NOVELS

CHINESE

Not much catch since I have no new stuff. I wait for the completion of 无间 by 二月竹

I already mentioned this book once. Author previously wrote Backtracking I once reviewed and liked a lot (it was about a boy who was murdered on a graduation trip, but actually survived and returned 10 years later for revenge). The new story is about investigation as well, since the main character Shen Qiao is connected to recently dead young people and the ML is investigating into it. I've been waiting for its' completion.

Next one is the very new article 人， 撸了毛得负责哦 by 挠时光, previously author wrote "Abnormal relationship" I also reviewed (about two men from prominent families who accidentally slept and realized they're compatible in bed, but they always were like enemies in life). The new story is about a young man Ou XiaoJiang who inherited a house which is claimed to be haunted, but the young man's side hustle is haunting ghosts. ML is a demon king whose lair was in this house. The synopsis has a light-hearted and humorous tone, maybe the story will be the same. After all the previous book also was like this. *new = basically only started publication on JJ.

Next very new one should be 天降老公[娱乐圈] by 沙舟踏翠

I previously reviewed this author too. Forgot the title I used, since it was obviously changed, the current title is 软饭硬吃[重生] (I think previous was connected to white rice or smth, the play on a saying since the main character was reborn and basically lived off his newly acquired husband, having a pretty fulfilling life). This new article is about main character Chen Yuxi, who is unknown celebrity, young guy who sells his music and is suddenly invited to a star-studded program, which catapults him into stardom.

No covers because they're all default and pointless.

The rest is only two that I keep by my side. Because they're spooky. Yes, I still read Welcome to Nightmare Live, I make a big pause while reading, but the story is so good it's impossible to forget what it's about. And the second has been waiting for me for some time, since it's also spooky 玄学大佬是罪仙 which I mentioned before. But again, when you're not into mood for spooky you can only let it wait. But I know that unlike other books I mentioned this one I really want to read.

US

Time for some detective stuff.

A Murder in Mayfair by Magda Alexander.

This one wasn't bad. I had my issues with it, but it's not entirely bad.

My pet peeve is how this is also written from 1st person POV, at least we have few POVs instead of just being in the FMC's head all the time. Mikaela (FMC) gets involved in the murder of her cousin's husband, since she can't let the scandal swipe the poor woman. Although I had my issues exactly with how fervent Mikaela described her own feelings, while I was thinking you have total nine kids at home, including yourself and your brother who inherited the title, but you are responsible for all of them. Are you sure? Anyway, comparing this to others this wasn't half bad. Pretty short, easy to read.

Edit: At least this was short and dynamic, the other books I saw this time around made me re-think my initial impression.

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna

Or Stella and Lyndy Mystery, Book 1.

I admit I was brought in by the cover. It looked "different". Who knew there's quite a number of similar ones. But I digress.  This is a DNF btw.

I decided to put it down at the beginning. Maybe the mystery is worth it, but I checked reviews after being buffled by the characters and it did not improve my impression.

Stella is an American heiress from Kentucky, she is taken with her father to visit England without knowing that her father arranged her marriage to a lord. She is against it, her father is a douch who can raise his hand against his daughter.

Lyndy, or Lyndhurst did not mak the picture better, because of how he thought about Stella from the beginning, he wasn't even thinking about her. He was thinking about thoroughbred horses he will get in this deal. Like it's the most important thing. Others mentioned that he is also in the same situation as Stella, being part of the deal, no he's not. Just listen to his thoughts on horses and you won't feel like he got the shorter end of the stick. Not to mention he is a man.

When he notices Stella's beauty he also feels about her like if he won a prize - oh my future wife isn't half bad. Which is also not good.

Honestly, they are young, I'll give them that. But he especially reads as absolutely not mature young man. He still needs to wipe milk around his mouth tbh.

Also everyone around Stella is either snarky or snobbish. I mean even if the American guy comes with money. Makes me think, Americans are considered rude around the world now, but back then, they simply didn't know the etiquette "rules" of Englishmen. So how rude is that?

Anyway, Lyndy spoiled it all for me  completely, since we know he's going to be the main part. I know I didn't read much, but I just sat and thought - why should I continue then? The writing is a bit all over, Stella is the only good character, Lyndy's thoughts made me think the worst of him, all character are bad.

Honestly the beginning read as if I'm reading some melodramatic historical romance, not mystery haha

Oh the mystery is about who got poor vicar who was there to wed Stella and Lyndy. Honestly, if I were them I'd say bad luck.

The Ties that Divide by Sandra and Taylor Preisler

Or Q&Z Regency Mysteries.

'Q' stands for Quinton, he is a hired investigator and 'Z' stands for Zoe, she wants to know the truth about the death of her maid.

Zoe lives in a reconstructed family I'd call it. She and her mother escaped France, while her father couldn't make it. Around when she was 9 her mother met her current husband. They live comfrotably and Zoe from time to time has a bit of a fit, she's a young talented artist who also has a bit of identity crisis due to her origins. But she had no idea the next time she hears from her maid is that the poor young woman will be dead. Zoe feels there is something wrong here and decides to hire a help. This is the premise of it all.

Good thing it's written normally. Also the flow is nice so far, I just tried out the beginning and you know when it's "comfortable" to read. 

Edit: The review is up, it's one of those cases where I change my mind halfway through. It's hard to describe it shortly, but I was disappointed with it. A lot of it was treated as introduction to all the characters, though honestly we didn't need all of their backstory in one book. Also main characters have instant attraction to each other and the book already spoils there is some of future development about ML's birth because so far they can't be together since their standing is so different~ FMC does a lot of impulsive things for her own good. The book did not feel special.

A Whisper and a Curse by Darcy Burke

Raven and Wren, Book 3.

I know I said I might put this series for good, but I might give it another try. I don't knwo why. I already said they got to me in the last one when they continuously complemented each other how good they are etc. But in general the books moved at a very slow pace and lacked thrill.

Ngl I like the color schemes of these covers, they make the series stand out among others.

The Body in the Garden by Katharine Shellman

Lily Adler Mystery. Book 1

I can also say a word or two about this one, because I opened it and was surprised that authors wants to make their FMC sound as if she was Sherlock Holmes. Find it ironic since her last name is Adler.

Lily, our FMC, is returning to life by coming to the city. She is still grieving after the loss of her husband whom she really loved.

In the first scenes she kinda sounds a bit smug too, the way she explains how she guessed and it really sounds like Sherlock version. Everyone is impressed. It kinda put me off a bit and I decided I'll put it down and come back when I'm ready for this type of stuff.

But the mystery is about how she decides to investigate the case that is obviously buried by paying off the police, so the police won't investigate further.

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Or The Seasons of Carnage. Book 1

Comes from the author of infamous Butcher & Backbird. Which I never read, but I kinda want to try this book. You know when you're intrigued by something. It's better to scratch that itch.

Well, because I never read dark romance.

Edit: Started it, it's actually fun? I'm just surprised. Although I still dislike 1st person POV. But in general this is promising.

Edit2: 41% Shit, this is fun.

Edit3: Finished, the review is posted. But in general it was fun and unhinged. I liked that it had dark humor and didn't take itself serious. The plot is nothing fancy, but at least it's wrapped up not in a bad way. Was surprised it had such a strong "to be continued" feel, since partially the story left readers with some questions. Can't say anything about the love line in this book, since it's quite unealthy, but honestly baffling is how some things are nice if we separate them from their unhealthiness.

WEBTOONS
MANHWA

On your knees, Your Highness!

This one is HYSTERICAL. At least it is drawn as a full-blown comedy, even if some undertone is a bit serious. You can read it on Webtoons for free.

It's just a walking meme. I have no idea why I like reading this type of stuff, when things have a lot of meme material. But in general it's a pretty nice story. Not very new in the concept, but the story itself is okay. Sudden arranged marriage to shield the Duke from the King / Emperor who is this irksome old dude and can't let go, so instead of doing some serious stuff he spends it on schemes against the Duke. But I really like the FMC, she is strong and collected and does not have some fits, it's satisfying seeing her going into dark and oppressive mode where she unleashes at others. Even the Duke is on the receiving end of it all at times.

It's based on a novel, but I find manhwa works better for me. Still manhwa is ongoing of course.

The only funny thing is those 3D models they use, like her tiara that looks like it's for kids because of its' small size, I have no idea why sometimes they don't do more even with things that exist. I can understand it saves time and it's efficient, but have you seen those hilarious horses they always use? Or how all jewelery looks 2D flat. Everything is just either a pre-set pattern or 3D model that already existed. Even some art I've seen several times. I don't mention the decorative stuff like flowers etc. it's all from the obviously same pack, only the art style and the manner of decorating pannels makes things different.

OTHER MENTIONS: 

- I Never Abandoned the Tyrant (holy shit this is the weak type of FMC) The story is nothing spectacular, but honestly FMC stroke me as this weak poor fragile entity that is afraid of anything. Skipping on it.

- Enemies meet at the engagement ceremony. Interesting premise where characters do have a reason to hate on each other. At least doesn't treat enemies-to-lovers trope as some promotion stunt. Also the art is pretty and very vivid in bold colors.

- Stepmother's Märchen. What is it with characters drawn with their hair let down when other don't do it. I feel like every time it's a European ambience etc. but FMCs always let their hair down. It looks weird because others do not do the same thing. But I digress. Anyway, pretty decent and emotional story about FMC's rebirth and different choices made. At least it has some stakes and you see it unfold.

- Mary Psycho, or Her Merry Obsession I think that's the title. Pretty crazy story, which led me to consider others, which depicts an FMC who figures while she was blinded with medicine, she has no idea who was the man she considered her husband and why he did what he did. She goes on fully throwing her good wife persona and her screws get loose, so she was never completely healthy mentally and her goal is to find the man who pretended to be her husband.

- It's my first time being loved. Omg this is kinda heartwarming. I did not read much, but it was lovely and the art as well. Story about a girl who was reborn a 100 times and every life she must have sacrificed herself and never had a decent life. But now she has a loving family. FMC is still a baby when the story begins, so her expressions are priceless.

Edit: I needed to mention this because I haven't seen such a moronic FMC in a while

- Marchioness Maron, or Marquis Moron I'd say. FMC is a transmigrator and the OG girl really did some horrible things for three men, but they ditched her at the first sign of trouble. Now she is thrown into the contaminated area (actually they literally wanted to kill her first, but she survived), but then starts the moronic acts on her side. She is OP since she can survive and absorb and manipulate miasma, which is a big deal. But she wants to spend her time in seclusion, valid. But later when she appears here and there it's annoying how she wants to push the protag heroine to become a saintess, even if it's half-empty title. It's one thing to inform the heroine, but you put into her head that she's the protagonist of this world and one must love her and later when she appears to be doing good among people of her secluded place she starts to mop around as if she was replaced.. It's all over the place. Also a lot of details that are not good. You can get that maybe the original idea wasn't that bad, but the execution is simply bad. 

DRAMA

Agatha Chritie's SEVEN DIALS

Adaptation? I want to watch it since I love all the mystery stuff. But it's Netflix.... says it all. It can end up being simply bad / boring. But I want to give it a try regardless. After all it's a mini-series and has some good actors in it.

ANIME

Ooh~ I have a lot more things I want to check out compared to previous years combined. This Winter season basically only started with just few episodes out. So it's more like "I'm checking these out" if it's not a series I watched previously and am simply continuing like

Sousou no Frieren. Season 2.

Excuse me, but favorite anime. Fell in love with it. It has such an interesting atmosphere about it.

Edit: GLORIOUS!! Fuck, I love this anime. It's still the best, such a delight to return to this world.

Jujutsu Kaisen Shimetsu Kaiyu Zenpen (which season is this again)

Well, I'm watching anyway. I don't know how it happened that I was impressed by season 1 and when it came to Shibuya incident it was okay, still had wow moments, but in general felt shallow? Certainly things will change once again due to the plot. But I know for sure that I'll wait before binging.

Jigokuraku

Want to try it out. I think I saw some opening sequence? I have a feeling I did and was impressed. You know Tumblr is always ready to present you few gifs that will tickle your interest

Edit: I surely saw the OP theme from this one. It's really beautifully done. I saw the 1st episode and figured the overall tone of this anime and where it's going, thus decided to put it away for a bit and return when I'm into it, since it looked pretty good. I'm just into very light-hearted things right now.

Seihantai na Kimi to Boku

Unlikely choice, watched some introduction into the story on YT shorts, will try it out and see if it's good. Because YT shorts can just use all the best parts and sell it to me, but it might end up not being a good anime. How is it that in every anime the male character is a nerdy boy that looks like everyone else ahaha

Edit: Watched Ep.1 IT'S FFUCKING CUTE

Edit 2: Watched a bit more and it's still frigging cute, they are adorable, it's such a nice anime and campus love story done right. If it was a book, I would certainly skip it since I find the genre boring, if it was manga or anime I'd see it first to decide if it's up my alley or not. Polar opposites proved to be very positive and lovely.

Suzuki is a creature, I agree. This is so cute.

Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki

Choice was simple, I think I also saw the introduction, but also have you seen the poster? It kinda hooked me up. Like what is going on, right? My boy, are you flirting, are you trying to start something? I want to know.

Edit: ME TOO GIRL, ME TOO. The way girls oggled her on the train. But it went the way it's predictable, no one sees her as a female anymore outside MMC who finds her really beautiful.

Edit2: I watched up to latest 4th episode and yeah I was right about more serious tone, I mean if you compare to Seihantai. It's more girlhood, first feelings, exploration. A guy who dated before but doesn't know what love is is the same shocked by his feelings when it comes to Yoi-chan, while Yoi-chan who never dated or even been treated as a girl explores her feelings for the first person who saw her for who she was - a girl.

The only thing I was like - no~ is how 4th episodes introduces another potential guy who may become a new love interest and he is also Ouji, that's a name, which also means Prince... why this drawing style seems so familiar, I feel like I need to dig into who drew the manga, I feel like they had previous works and they might have been animated too.

Gorrgeeee

Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai

We're supporting BL in this house, will check this out as well. More and more BL works started to appear and they are openly BL and BL can also be good and compelling.

Like what is this, why is there some nerdy glasses and a dashing looking black cloak that look good together, stop it. I hope it's a real anime, otherwise I'll be pissed. You know how sometimes they put a full-blown anime poster but the story is basically animated cutouts or something of that sort.

Edit: It's the first episode day, where I watch every anime I chose. So far so good, all coice prove to be cute. Creation from the DEEN studio, studio that was never afraid to make BL anime even before the fangirls were gushing over Yuri on Ice, I just remember how everyone thought it changed history etc.. I mean, other animes appeared and influenced the sphere even before that, it was a process and YoI was just a part of it imo.

Anyway, an office worker sees a girl being sucked into some weird magic circle and tried to help, so both of them ended up being transported into another world. The girl is treated as Holy Maiden and he.. asked to work. He works as an accountant who also assessed the situation with ore logic than the girl. I mean yeah they asked her to be the maiden and she's the naive little girl said yes, but the dude is more experienced asking all the right question - how do you know they say the truth? Was not appreciated lol. But I'd like to see where it goes, if there will be stakes or it will be more tame.

Edit2: Honestly seeing it up to ep5 I was not expecting it will go by simple route of - we have to be intimate for you to survive, in other words forced proximity. Seiichiro is honestly working his ass off for this kingdom, his more modern view actually has benefits. It has some really dumb cliche moments which was surprising. I saw that manga had a bit of chibi moments to make it cuter, anime does it but rarely. Honestly, the development is a bit flat. Although I bet many will say stuff liek this is cute. Animation is also crude at times, but I never expected much.

Last but not least, actually it's not last, I have another three I want to see but I'm not going to include them so far.

HANA KIMI ANIME WTF

lol I saw the manga years ago, somewhere I might even have exclusive wallpapers the author posted on her web page. Later I watched the drama. But anime version? How many years ago this was published? It was one of the first mangas where a girl dressed as a boy in manga. Which started the whole gender bender thing. Also I wonder if they will make sensei gay or they will play it safe like in drama (they changed the photographer's gender to female in the drama, while the manga was so gay~). So I'm watching, even if I saw this story several times already.

Makes me remember that it got adopted and other countries get their own version and basically there were one or two other popular dramas that had the same vibe of gender-bender and girl pretending to be a boy.

Right now it looks quite silly, let's admit it, that no one noticed the girl was there, otherwise she needs to be an androginous icon.

[Chinese BL novel] 恋爱脑重生日常 by 焦糖冬瓜 / Daily life of a reborn love brain

This was an unexpected find. It happened to be quite lovely.

Summary: Jiang Ruotang spent his youth chasing one person he loved with all his heart, he supported his career and worked like a mule and a horse. But never got the recognition or love. Later realized that he was manipulated by his closest friend, who also helped to get an image of a disgusting stalker in the eyes of his beloved person, realized he helped the enemy of his father who dragged their family down. He was so naive and blind.

Those who he considered enemies were the once who stayed by his side till the last moment when illness tormented him, while those who he considered closest people manipulated his family to be destroyed.

But then Jiang Routang opened his eyes and realized he was reborn in the past, just few days before the last year of high school started, just before the person he supported with all his heart transferred to their school. Just before it was too late.

It was a pretty nice story. Although it involves 'revenge' part, but it's silent and lethal. A lot of this novel is spent on other things. Just like Jiang Ruotang himself wants to improve himself and be close to a person who practically saved his soul in his last life and became his true love. His main goal is not to be an ass and manipulated by his "best friend" Lin Lu. He was too naive before and took their friendship seriously, never suspecting that Lin Lu was manipulating him all along. This is why he became a thorn in the back of their restructured family and thought the new stepmother will cover their wealth. While the snake was whispering in his ears all along. His new stepmom and brother actually were the ones who cared for him when he fell gravely ill. Lin Lu and his father dragged Ruotang's father into quagmire and made him take the blame for money laundering, while their family lived happy and wealthy life. Bai Yingchuan always had the worst impression of Ruotang also thanks to Lin Lu's words. These were all his apst sins he admitted and wanted to change them now.

Lin Lu was not aware that Jiang Ruotang was slowly distancing himself and putting a barrier between them.

Bai Yingchuan thought that Lin Lu's words about Ruotangs fanatic love were true, but met with complete indifference.

Zhang mother and son were surprised to see Ruotang change his tune and slowly came tot erms that this previously willful boy was now very considerate and more mature.

Ruotang's dad wept tears of joy to see his son becoming sensible. Though partially his own naive nature influenced Ruotang the most.

As for the crush and relationship.

Lu Guifan (ML) is the class rep, he is rigid and aloof, but one day he finds that previously rumored love-brained Jiang Ruotang is not afraid to ask him questions and started to get close to him.

To Ruotang who now picked up his studies and took his art exams more seriously, something that he lost chance to do in his last life. To him Guifan was his emotional support.

Although the story has a part dedicated to Ruotang having successful investments and slowly digging the parts that made Lin Lu and his dad wealthy in his last life, basically cutting path to success, a lot of it is spent on just daily life, his interactions with others, his influence on people. Because like in every story he used his knowledge to save several people.

I think to me the most notable part was that author did not go with "oh, these people were bad in previous life, so we must avenge ourselves" rhethoric, but one character particularly had a change and Ruotang did not bear any grudge because he realized that his own actions were inappropriate.

Bai Yingchuan had the biggest change and the root cause started from the way Ruotang showed him freedom. While Ruotang of last life can be described as obsessive, but in this life he let go of his love completely. This indifference might have attracted Yingchuan at first but not completely. It's the slow realization that what Ruotang showed him was a well-thought career path, but Lin Lu and his father were after petty gains and sooner or later they will drain his popularity into nothingness and they won't stop there, being dragged into the scheme he won't have any chance but be manipulated by others into doing things he doesn't want. This was the final part that Ruotang lacked knowing before, he realized that Yingchuan's controlling mother worked together with Lin Chendong, he also realized that Mr Lin had some sort of leverage over her that did not allow her to escape his grasp. But now he realized that what destroyed his father in previous life was used on Yingchuan's mother as well. And she maybe started by believing hiw powress, but later was simply blackmailed.

I know that this part impacted me because it had different development from previous life and the fact that Ruotang did not chase simply everyone. He has distinction of right and wrong about others and about himself too.

So I very much recommend this one for a read when you want to have a good time, when the story is easy-going most of the time. Great relationships. Lots of lovely and good moments.

PS: it has tl

RATE: 4,25/5.

[Chinese BL novel] 绿茶穿进虐文后[穿书] by 日光融融 / Green tea persona transmigrates into a tragic novel

I say green tea persona, because it's a BL story after all and the "green tea" girl is a boy.

Also at the moment of me typing this, this story is fully available on JJ for free, but I bet it won't be long before it'll be locked after it's completion.

Another point is the novel is officially not over, but we're moving towards it and basically overcame all the main points of the story.

(I am aware that the cover title and final title don't match, that's obviously because it changed along the way and I saved the old one, the cover changed to default ugly one)

Summary: An Yu, successful in his career, but a lonely person in life transmigrates to become a tragic unloved son of the An family. He promises to avenge the original An Yu, one who loved his family but whose feelings were never resciprocated, who had no idea why his life was like this.

Forced to marry the Xing family in the plot, now An Yu uses this marriage to his advances. Because he knows the plot, he also knows the secrets, the only thing left is to play along and release a bit of the tea scent. After all he is the premium green tea.

#1vs1, smart protag, found family, wealthy families, a bit of entertainment, fast-paced story

The story basically covers how An Yu who transmigartes, follows along with some of the plot, but also changes his own fate and avenges the original An Yu. Since he knows the secrets of the An family and his own.

From "forced" marriage to a loving relationship, from being a no one to becoming the center of attention. Although he is green tea premium, it does not mean he is a hypocritical fellow like his brothers, especially original shou of the story - An Shi. He weaved the lie within a truth. And he is quite sincere towards people he cares about.

This is actually a very upbeat story that almost gallops through the main plot. I feel like no part of it used too much space, a lot of things were "solved" in just few chapters and each instance was treated the same way. This is why the story feels very fast-paced and easy to read (no angst).

For a change our main protagonist An Yu does not berates the original An Yu, I see it often when authors inadvertantly compares the OG characters to their protagonists as if there is a need to show who's better (especially how their protagonists are a hundred time better and won't do all those silly things), but An Yu totally realizes the inability of OG An Yu to act, that he was basically cornered and had no power over his situation. He was abused since childhood and thus developed a weak personality that could be pushed around, but because he believed in his family he did as he was told to, not realizing that it will lead him to his doom.

The story starts a bit before the forced marriage. An Yu plays along at first, getting more and more out of An family. Not to mention some of it is a payback, while the An family can't do anything to him. Because original An Yu was framed for stealing the marriage, this time An Yu did not bother to clear things up even if he had proof, because he never planned to stick around.

Xing Zhan, ML, at first did not like An Yu and had the worst impression of him, but he was a person of dignity and did not make a scene at their marriage, later due to An Yu's influence of the tea persona he slowly figured out some inner workings of the An family and how An Yu was treated (I mean, the guy was basically malnourished, which was claimed to be "for his own good", he was treated so poorly to make him go through hardships and understand how those below him live, when he lived below the lowest point), so even if An Yu "stole" the marriage, Xing Zhan forgave him for it while finding that it was justified.

The marriage was actually for Xing Zhan to make his sick grandfather not worry about Xing Zhan leading a lonely life, so he chose An Shi from the An family, he didn't really care who, it was Mrs Xing's decision. An Shi had a perfect image on the outside, but others did not know how fake it was. Like Xing mother saw him saving a kitten (if I'm not wrong), but she did not know An Shi abused the kitten and it was An Yu who saved it. Xing Zhan thought it was strange, but he saw the cat, cat was basically skin and bones and you mean to tell An Shi cared for it while boasting that An Yu stole it. An Yu was also skin and bones, his health was quite poor, this is what made Xing Zhan think twice. Thank Gd ML is not oblivious type. Like what son of a wealthy family is malnourished? And some other details that played in An Yu's favor also became a part of his ever-changing opinion.

But nothing stays secret. Xing family soon found out about the stolen marriage. Once again, An Yu followed along with all demands, all prenuptial agreements, private agreements with the family and even Xing Zhan's friend. Because he knew he never planned to stick around when the marriage will end. He planned to take compensation and do his own thing. The Xing family was disappointed at first knowing the "truth". But with time their perception of An Yu changed and they still liked him, forgiving the incident and even regretting their rash decision. An Yu never really cared for the blame, because he totally could understand the idea of protecting your closest people from harm. If anything he envied Xing Zhan.

This story isn't about how An Yu is a total hypocrate and uses everything. It's more like truth weaved with a bit of lie as I said. Although he followed along for the health of Xing grandpa, he still liked the old man and cared for him with his heart, even when grandpa made him sign papers to leave Xing family with nothing. Mrs Xing also was baffled that An Yu "stole" the marriage, but later figured that An Yu wasn't like that and he even saved her life in the story.

But of course Xing Zhan is the one who came to regret his attitude the most. How could he have known that An Yu will become the love of his life? It's a bit cliche that he changed for An Yu, worked less, also became the second owner of the cat, cared for An Yu's health, even learned to cook.

Their quiet life made him feel home.

As for the An family, they slowly got their comeuppance. Even An Shi, whose image of the perfect boy was ruined (mainly by his own hands too). Maybe he was the type of assertive main character in the original story, but honestly the guy is rotten like his entire family.

The og plot described that An Shi pushed the marriage because he fell for another person. So not to seem scheming or ungrateful he derrived such a plot with his family. They also spread the word, which ruined An Yu's rep. But in this timeline An Yu befriended Zong Xiuyuan (og male lead) beforehand and they became close. Xiuyuan also was surprised to find that with time he felt how hypocritical and manipulative the moves of An Shi were.

Even the cat became the living proof of An Shi's hypocricy. After all he took it for Xiuyuan to seem benevolent, but never cared for the cat, only remembered when it was needed.

While og An Yu treated the cat like an only family and an emotional support.

The cat became like a mascot of the story, it doesn't play the biggest role, but some things came to light because of it. 

So main plotlines were dealing with the An family and development of feelings between An Yu and Xing Zhan.

In regards to their feelings, actually An Yu proposed to be more open about it, especially physically, which Xing Zhan refused (regretted it a hundred time later). But An Yu really did not want to stick around with this marriage, only because he did not want to be bound. In his previous life he saw too much in the entertainment world, where no relationship was pure love. It came to Xing Zhan to win An Yu slowly over again. And since they spent so much time together and truly became family, it was easier for him to accept Xing Zhan among anyone else.

Surely, the story is not over, but basically it dealt with everything it planned to deal at the beginning. I'm only waiting for the concusion.

It was one if not only novel that I was reading. I've been too much into manhwa lately.

RATE: 4,5/5.

[Chinese BL novel] 快穿之来啊，来作死啊 by 巳辞 / Quick transmigration, come out to die

The novel is from 2017 and it shows.

I don't have a cover except default and this novel managed to spoil things so I'm vengeful.

Summary: Tong Daojun, resentful at the fate of his life he is bound by the system V587, his task is to not let Children of Destiny absord the fortune of the worlds. He is doinf these tasks to buy a reverse pill just to get back home, but on the journey he falls in love with a person and finds that his life and his fate hold a deeper secret.

I'll move it out of the way, I liked some of the details as a background plan that was shown in the final reveal. If some of the things in this one did not exist I'd say it is a very light-hearted and fast-paced book, when you know things are going to be fine anyway and the tasks are being completed with fast speed.

Oh yeah many of the chapters are locked because there is a lot included and author does not use the current "drive" or the "boat being hit by waves" metaphor.

Child of Destiny that absorbs the fortune of the plane is not new concept. And they harbor malice towards the MC. But the ease of him doing tasks is mainly because he prevents some crucial points from happening. And sometimes task is completed just somewhere in the background. The stories are pretty shallow, just for the sake of making things turn fast.

The rest of the story is just mentioning how after the completion he and his lover are having their peaceful life together.

I'm not spoiling what happens but want to mention why this novel basically slid down for me.

Exhibit A. In the arc with the "ultimate bottom" who is MC's brother in the plot, MC to prevent his brother from attracting three designated MLs pairs him with an uncle who took over after their parents passed, so he is at least 10 years older, but he also said some phrase like he noticed this brother as a kid and saw his grow up...nope from me dawg.

Exhibit B. MC returns to his own plane and he is a child star, he meets ML who is also a child star and honestly they start to act intimately, while both of them are only 5. Big nope.

RATE: 1,5/5. For everything before you spoiled it.

[SHORT REVIEWS] #24

Some finds, on-going stuff and future reads.

Recently I cleaned my bookmarks and the progress was great. Although to some may sound silly but the tactic of pending works for me.

What I do for any type of book. Since the array of books seems endless it feels inevitable to want to read more, but is there a way to filter them? I found that the following works for me. 

1. Read summary, read available chapters (self-publishing, online), read available excerpts (trad. publishing). Summaries almost always do not correspond to the content. It's not false advertisement, it's mostly how a synopsis tries to lure you into reading and making it sound like the best book you've ever read. Even for Chinese online novels I read so much, where authors try to put the content and idea of the novel into the title, sometimes the content may not correspond to the way synopsis painted the story.
2. PENDING period. When I have too many things pinned I basically let them pend for some time. You can't read everything at once anyway, so let those books wait for you. You will find that by the time you return it's easier to make a choice and sift through titles. 
3. Reading first few chapters (or some recommend 50 pages rule). Is to gve yourself enough time to asses if you want to proceed reading. I usually just read a bit if I want to decide how far the book will end up on the waiting list. Sometimes the story can grip you from the first passage (usually in regards to trad. publishing), while few chapters are needed to have a feel of style and story when it comes to online reading (if you noticed many don't try to reach for the first passage hook when it comes to online novels).

Because I don't follow any trends or recommendations, I tried, not my cup of tea. I have no need to rush and it is easy to just scroll and search for yourself. After all you're reading for yourself.

Now onto the novels.

绿茶穿进虐文后[穿书] by 日光融融

(mtl: Green tea persona transmigrates into a tragic novel)

[BL] On-going. Summary: An Yu had a prosperous career as an actor, he suddenly transmigrates into a novel to become a cannon fodder. Original An Yu was ostracized by his own family not knowing that it wasn't his family at all, he was manipulated into marrying a person but was actually accused of stealing a groom from his own brother, followed by infamy original An Yu never knew affection.

Newly arrived An Yu is a master of green tea, a pro, a Green Tea Lux. Although he follows the same pattern of marrying someone according to the storyline, but his own fate is not as tragic. For him this marriage is only a temporary stop before he leaves with money, leaving evidence of his family not only framing him left and right but most likely finding the evidence how all the fortune that is now squandered by the An family was originally An Yu's.

Xing Zhan (ML) was aiming to marry An Shi, the eldest brother of the An family, he did it to make his grandfather feel better and not worry about his grandson, but at the wedding saw absolutely different person. His first impression of An Yu - absoluetly worst. But day after day he figured that not everything is black and white and there is something behind the story of the An family that is not on the surface.

This one so far is the best from this whole bunch, thus first mentioned :)

    Really liked the beginning, it's fun and up-beat so far. Read ch 1-38 and it has a lot of progress in general and is very high-paced. An Yu is indeed a higher class of green tea, at least not so obvious. I'm hopefully waiting for its' development. It's interesting to see that ML and MC don't start all mushy, but actually some hostility was involved, even if Xing Zhan changed his mind later, but he still did not truly accepted An Yu because of the wedding and stealing groom incident. Only later uncovering the truth because he started to care for An Yu his stance changed and realizing that first impression was so false and held a lot of nuances. Xing family they all figured that An Yu changed the groom, An Yu never showed proof that he was framed by his own family, it's nothing compared to people finding truth on their own. It's really interesting to see how the entire family who thought how one was good had no idea that it was all pretence and the one who lied is more cordial and honest.

EDIT 12/'25: It's still good, fast-paced and doesn't drag around, I'm on chapter 70. Now I'm just waiting for these two to fall back in love.

无间 by 二月竹

(mtl: Internal Affairs)

[BL] On-going.

I think I menioned this before? Anyway, this comes from the author of Backtracking / Looking back that I liked a lot.

Lu Yan (ML) is a captain of criminal investigation team, that discovered connections between murders and a person named Shen Qiao. Investigation uncovered that Shen Shao was currently entangled with three men who pursued him. But these three men, like the victims, had their own connection to a high shcool student who committed suicide 18 years ago due to bullying.

    According to author's notes this is a revenge story. Lu Yan will be living in close proximity with Shen Qiao (according to the summary). That's all I know, like with Backtracking I want to wait for the entire novel to be over to start reading it. Especially knowing this is also a revenge story. Also I know it's wrong to hype myself up, but still.

EDIT 12/'25: Waiting for its' completion, hopefull it'll be soon but who knows...

当死对头变小了 by 故筝

(mtl: After my archnemesis shrunk)

[BL] Completed. THIS ABOMINATION. Lol, but I honestly was weirded out.

I thought it's going to be a fn read, before it became weird. MC Chi Xi has a nightmare that he is a cannon fodder, but the only one who survived for almost entire book is his nemesis Wen Jichen (why he is nemesis, well mostly his sister competes in business world). But one day this President Wen disappears and appears as a 6yo boy in front of Chi Xi. Who finds nothing bad about taking a kid along on a show. What I found really a trashy turn is how the whole transformation was treated, that it had something with Wen's reaction to Chi Xi. And even if there is an adult soul in a young boy's body to me their attempts at inappropriate jokes were too trashy. Like are you seriously talking about erections? Even with an adult person you don't go around talking about this stuff.

Also Chi Xi is portrayed as this silly goose who is likable. Though mainly lacking brains for business and he is not completely clueless. But still...

And later I found out that this author also wrote this - 我和六个Alpha匹配100% - a story about matching of one person with 6 Alphas. I remember reading it before (dark history) but I dropped it soon enough since it was just... a mess. But after realizing who this author is, I realized that I basically wasted time, good thing not much.

与神明的恋爱法[快穿] by 暮时夏

(mtl: The way to fall in love with a deity)

[BG] Completed. Summary: A blue bird that was the first creation of the deity asks to come along when He travels to mortal worlds. She has her own ulterior motive, she fell in love with her creator and maybe she can get close to him in those worlds. But her memories as promised will be sealed and everything is left to fate.

    This novel is almost truly soft, if it wasn't for some sudden thrill here and there that poses no threat. I read a bit of it. As far as I can understand unlike many transmigration novels in this one ML is indeed the He who we know is a deity that created everything and the blue bird is his first creation, she was scared he will completely forget about her and will spend millenia in sealed space waiting for him, this is why she asked to accompany him, but she will remember nothing and he won't be a regular ML like a CEO or even a man, He will always be some kind of deity. Like the first arc he is a mountain god that was awakened because the little reincarnation of blue bird brought him from the brink of extinction. She still falls inlove with him as if it's the most natural thing for her.

就不能当咸鱼吗 by 青梅酱

(mtl: Can't I be a salted fish?)

[BL] Completed. 

I want to try this one, since I rarely touch Interstellar stories. This author I admit I tried before but never managed to finish the story, it was also on-going at that time and as per usual I got distracted by a hundred of other things. And I had several 'horror' type of stories with entities.

The premise of this story is about two people who live under an alias just to have a leisurely life, nothing more. While actually both of them are two bigshots that managed to fatefully meet on a desolate planet. MC is a founding Marshal who others search for, because they do not believe he died.

This author always has some fancy covers btw. And they wrote an e-sports novel (several actually), I'm pretty sure it's on NU, but I forgot which one. But I was attracted to these type of stories more. *hates e-sports*.

婚后浓情 by 若诗安轩

(mtl: Deep love after marriage)

[BG] Completed.

This should be a love after marriage story (obviously). I couldn't read passed ch18, FMC annoyed me so much with her irresponsible of words.

Wen Qian had a one-night stand with Shang Mo. She is a pampered princess of the Wen family (of course beautiful and sweet) and he is the current head of the famous Shang family (a head above Wen family, men are always more CEO than others). But even with precaution she got pregnant. She decided to keep the child, but did not tell anyone about it at the beginning, not planning to say to Shang Mo as well. I could understand her panic etc. She tried to wringle out of this (the joke became old since it was used at least three times).

And I hate this type of shit. It's good that others decided for her to enter a marriage when they found out. And I know this sounds harsh, but I want to be realistic, it's her body and she wants to do whatever she wants with it that's totally okay, but having a kid is a responsibility, not only to give birth to it, but also make their growth healthy and happy. Imagine the kid being a "wild child". Do you want your kid to be labeled that? Even if they're a wealthy family and they can provide everything the kid needs, but that part won't change.

And I could understand if ML was a complete douche, many women are single moms for the reason that men are irresponsible scumbags. But he proposed, admitted it was his fault and went on to arrange everything like marriage, in everything ML is always responsive to her. When she asked - What will our relationship be after the marriage? And he answered - It's up to you. He, the powerful and mighty, actually already loved this girl for who knows how long, she doesn't know about it of course, but she found herself in a situation that it's impossible to simply walk away. But she has the power in this relationship, he gave it to her openly.

Maybe I'm emotional because I watched a video of a review on that divorce show 'see you again' or smth, the most famous 4th season (?) with the most exhausting wige ever named Mai and the scene where her husband broke down talking about their daughter. Like in many situations I'd be on the side of the woman. But when kids come into picture it becomes different for me. And I don't like how some the situations are painted in a dark way. Wen Qian acted so dramatic because she had few nightmares. While she is a rich woman, with her entire family behind her, her future husband is sincere, I can't sympathize with her since she is not in a bad situation. To me she just acts willful and immature. This is why I got annoyed by her. All she does is pouting and sulking. Sigh, I guess it's the favorite type of FMC that acts like that. That's why I DNF'd it.

❧

I added some Korean novels to the list, but considering I mostly DNF'd the whole bunch I previously added I didn't want to mention them here. I'm just surprised at what high rate I dnf them, they're really not my cup of tea, but because of Windburg I at least rekindled a bit of faith in them, it's just not going good so far.

❧

Goodreads is not bad for digging in recommended pile.

A Grave Gift by Christy Carlyle

Electra Poole Mystery Series #1

Official synopsis:

Electra Poole has spent much of her life hiding her abilities, fearing the same fate as her mother—labeled mad and locked away. But in order to survive on her own, she plays into London’s obsession with spiritualism, offering carefully crafted séances to those desperate for answers. Yet when she foresees the death of a wealthy noblewoman and chooses to stay silent, the guilt is suffocating—and the danger is very real.

Lady Becknell is murdered that very night. And someone might know what Electra saw.

As threats close in, she has no choice but to seek help from Scotland Yard’s Detective Inspector Gideon Pierce, a man tied to her past—and to the father she’s never forgiven. But the killer is watching, and with each step closer to the truth, Electra’s own life hangs in the balance.

To outwit a murderer, she must embrace the very gift she’s always feared…before she becomes the next victim.

I always get caught when it comes to couples exploring mysteries. Can't help myself it became one of my favorite things in books. This sounded interesting and this is why I added it to "want to read".

Although having a gift may sound like a cheat code, usually it's not that easy.

A Murder in Mayfair by Magda Alexander

Rosalynd and Steele Mysteries #1

I admit I was caught by a pretty cover and that lovely redhair beauty, I read a bit and the style is okay to me. Despite it being a 1st POV. The premise is someone a man, a toff, hires someone for a murder, it's in the prologue. The next part is we meet Rosalynd, she is an eldest among her siblings, excluding her brother who inherited the title. Their parents gone and Rosalynd was like a mother figure to her siblings and spent years to bring them up, she is also a fervent fighter for women's rights and does not plan to marry, ever. This is basically the content of first chapter. As for the murder, it casts suspicion on her beloved cousin and this is where things start from (according to synopsis). 

Again, couples solvingmysteries, I'm in.

Update: It was okay, nothing groundbreaking, but maybe better compared to other of the same genre I've read recently.

The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry

This is what I picked up as recommended by Gab Smolders (@YT). Usually I skip on recommended, but I watch Gab because she is a gaming channel instead of a book channel and her preferences are mostly in horror. I was attracted to description of this one that this should be a good and interesting take on a hounted house novel.

A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson

Angus Brodie & Mikaela Forsythe #1

Another mystery book, another couple. I honestly read first few chapters. It's quite dynamic I think and the stakes are high from the get go. Mikaela Forsythe (one of my nieces is also called Mikaela) finds that her sister is missing, someone like her sister who would never disappear without a word has been missing for days and things get even worse when police finds a dead body of her maid. Knowing how unreliable police is, not to mention her sister's husband also wants to do things discretely without a noise, Mikaela decides to take things in her hands and finds a private investogator, Angus Broodie, someone who doesn't look like he will get his job done, but her aunt promised he is the best at what he does.

Not always chasing pretty covers. Also attarcted to the FMC of this novel, she is someone who preferred travel to balls and tea parties, she is a writer and has adventurous spirit. She also have seen enough to not be scared like any other lady would and nothing will stop her from finding her sister. I saw this recommended on Goodreads many times but I kinda skipped it. Who knew that it sounds promising.

Update: Finished, was disappointed a lot. Ref. to review for more details.

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

Eternal Path Trilogy #1

Usually, I would skip a book others are raving about, but many people praised it, so I put it aside too. The shortest reasn to read a book ever. 

[Chinese BL novel] 一篇狗血虐渣文[快穿] by 润莹 / Bloody and tragic story

Summary: He Xuezhen was sent to the worlds to experience a hundred years of loving someone who is hard to love and when he finally woke up it was now the path of him to re-live his lives and get rid of his feelings. So in each world he had someone he loved deeply but who did not reciprocate his feelings with the same passion with a lot of misunderstandings and hurt.

#QT, chasing wife to the crematorium (each world has an "ex" Cui Zhi that MC loved in the previous life, who is also reborn in this life and of course finds many things that he missed to realize in the previous life); ML is He Jingshu (appears in the second world); old-school bloody script.

I've read only 2 arcs and will not continue reading, the reason is basically the whole bloody script. Why did I have this in my bookmarks, how old is this even.

Cui Zhi is someone Xuexhen loved deeply, but only got hurt in return. Cui Zhi is the type of toxic jealous and possessive type but with total lack of trust.

He Jingshu as the designated ML is actually a green tea person, what is his deal is unknow at the point where I stopped.

My main problem lies with the MC. So his goal is to get rid of emotions, I bet main ones should be love. But in general his personality feels weak and gullible. I prefer those with a bit more sass.

Like World 1 is a cultivation setting. He and Cui Zhi are a Taoist couple, they've been so for a hundred years, but there is an illegitimate son of his father Fan Xueping who joined their sect and rose to prominence under the guide of his father. Cui Zhi protects Xueping even from Xuezhen because he believes the guy saved him, the world starts from Xuezhen self-destructing together with Cui Zhi because that guy fed his last saving medicine to treat Xueping's wounds which did not need such a precious medicine.

Throughout the years Cui Zhi got used to the dynamic of Xuezhen loving him and forgiving him, but still protected Xueping and believed what the guy sad.

What I don't like in these novels is how low the average IQ characters have, such a low-level tactic from Xueping's side, but Cui Zhi never truly protected him.

Another thing is that the new life has a lot of bit from the past to showcase how bloody their misunderstandings are, but the timeline felt off a lot of the time.

Andhonestly Cui Zhi saved Xueping so many times that he long should have returned the debt of the saving grace, but he continued to support the guy, without realizing how misleading Xueping acted and how he allowed his own partner to misunderstand.

The thing is misunderstanding got so deep that Xuezhen truly believed that his partner did not love him back, while Cui Zhi actually loved him, but his path of cultivation did not allow him to have karmic debts like the one to Xueping. Another part I don't like in such plots is the lack of trust from both sides. Maybe Xuezhen also was in the clutches of going through trubulations this si why he never actually left. Another side of this is how do we know what is true and what is not then.

Not everyone could guess that Xueping not only is a lying sack of shit, but loves to claim what others did for himself. Like Xuezhen was the one who saved Cui Zhi, but Xueping claimed it as his own, Xuezhen never cleared this part.

Also a funny thing about "love" that Cui Zhi claims to have - he never knew that Xuezhen suffered from demonic poisoning and the pill he fed to Xueping in last life was the last. Of course he found out.

Because Cui Zhi is reborn he finds that things do not move as they previously had. He also agrees to break the engagement, being all proud and thinking it's a tactic of Xuezhen... what a dumb thought. But later figures Xuezhen is ready to marry someone else to deal with his father.

The situation of Xuezhen's sect is that his father was helped by his mother's sect to rise to the highest sect leader position, but he betrayed not only their family and brought Xueping to let him be under his guidince, while he dealth with Xuezhen's maternal family with the help of demons with whom he colluded with, which in this timeline led to a big confrontation. Which wasn't exciting tbh.

Cui Zhi first broke the engagement then regretted it but it was too late. Xuezhen married someone for convenience, but I always thought - why he just didn't stay alone? His partner not only loved his sword spirit but even had a child with it. Becaus ethe spirit was killed by Cui Zhi in the fit of anger because he thought Xuezhen's partner cheated, Xuezhen felt guilty and did a lot of things to make up for it. Like he did not marry for convenience and his husband agreed to it himself. This is one of misunderstandings that Cui Zhi had and Xuezhen of course never cleared. That his marriage is fake, child is not his and he never was close to his husband. Xuezhen honestly felt like a marginal figure in entire story.

Cui Zhi on the other hand went through a lot of mental regret and suffering, also making some bad decisions, like marrying Xueping thinking Xuezhen will pay attention to him... dude, are you serious?

A lot of it felt like a forced conflict just to make things worse.

I don't want to say that Cui Zhi deserves forgiveness, I believe in this story this character had the same relationship with Xuezhen in the upper realm, Xuezhen was chasing and this guy did not feel the same, but now his reborn clones go through regret. Same pattern over and over.

I want to say that I basically don't like the chasing wife plot because people often don't write it well. For example they make MC pitiful while MC might have been at fault too, ML is always made a jerk, he always is made into a rag to wipe MC's shoes with. I personally thnk that some relationships can get pretty bad, it's not all sunshine and flowers and I think it would be cool to show more how two characters can work though if they truly love each other and still have feelings (not including this novel, I'm just talking in general). 

World 2 has a deposed Emperor (Xuezhen). Cui Zhi is the male Empress in this one that defected to the opposing prince and he also poisoned Xuezhen to death in previous life.

While Xuezen saved his entire clan by the only thing he could think of, making his the royal family, otherwise his entire family would be offed by the Regent who was the ruling party at that time. Cui Zhi didn't even know that his father managed to cuckold the Regent with his concubine.

Another world full of misunderstanding. Xuezhen lived his entire life as a puppet Emperor, while Regent and the Queen were the ones ruling. Xuezhen did not live a prosperous life but one of constant humiliation and being controlled. Cui Zhi did not understand that before entering the palace.

Although their life was harmonious for some time but he couldn't change his jealousy of the guy who used to be close to Xuezhen. Another streak of misunderstandings.

But tbh I was asking myself, why people are not being honest. The answer is - where would misunderstandings come from. 

Cui Zhi for whome this position was always a humiliation eventually went to another Prince to serve and the previous person whom he thought was the love Xuezhen could never forget also deflected to this Prince, the entire company rebelled and dethroned Xuezhen, while Cui Zhi fed him poison believing that Xuezhen poisoned his brother. Which was a complete misunderstanding and no matter how many times Xuezhen claimed he did not do those things it never did anything.

So yeah Cui Zhi is not a person who really deserves forgiveness, he can spend a lot of time atoning for what he did though. But honestly even by the second arc it becomes tedious to watch that he has the same action pattern at all time. Regretting and going crazy. Now in this life nothing else matter like Xuezhen who is unreachable.

As for Xuezhen to continue his weakass act, even if he took the cultivation to this world with him, he welcomed a new male concubine He Jingshu. But this guy always acted with him and was getting closer to the edge. And what makes me question it is how Xuezhen acts in return, as if he did not recollect that he lived so many lives and the previous one, as if he is untouched virgin who knows nothing. Even the simple difference between Jingshu and Cui Zhi made him surprised time and time again... the guy should get rid of love and says he will not love Jingshu, but acts the opposite.

Oh yeah, another thing that surprised me. Okay Cui Zhi and the other person stayed to serve the Emperor, but they almost did the entire job for Emperor, as they should of course, but Xuezhen felt like hands-off boss who doesn't matter in this plot as well. He just changed the perception of people around him to think he is a chosen one while using some Taoist tricks.

So yeah, same pattern through two arcs. We see Cui Zhi suffering from regret and getting crazy. Xuezhen tries to live a new life, but honestly he doesn't sound like an MC. As for Jingshu, they lived together in this life and in perfect harmony, so you can guess where this will go. But Xuezhen describes it as also feeling like he owned Jingshu something. Maybe there is a secret about it, I don't know, don't plan to find out. I've been pretty strict with filtering what I saved through years in the category "for later" and it's hundreds of titles, so I thought why I still need them to pile up. This type of story does not inspire me to continue, it's been a long while since I realized how I dislike this type of crematorium chase story, so I don't gravitate towards them.