This novel leaves me feeling quite ambivalent! On one hand, I don't have strong feelings of dislike for it, but I certainly wouldn't consider it a favorite either. In fact, among the author's body of work, this particular novel stands out as the only one that I found remotely bearable. If you're skeptical, I encourage you to explore her other novels—believe me, you'd quickly see where I'm coming from! However, as I delved deeper into the story, I must admit that I found myself growing increasingly bored. I started off enjoying the main female lead (FL), but as the plot progressed, she gradually morphed into a quintessential "Mary Sue" character, which eventually became quite grating. Her flawless nature and seemingly effortless ability to navigate various challenges began to rob the story of its tension and intrigue. Additionally, I must comment on the historical setting within Ancient China that the novel attempts to portray. The author's depiction of a world where a man can maintain four wives, eighteen concubines, and numerous mistresses, along with access to a plethora of prostitutes, left me puzzled. While I understand that this may have been common in certain historical periods, the overemphasis on such a lifestyle seemed exaggerated and detracted from the overall narrative. It’s a curious perspective that doesn’t quite resonate with my understanding of historical values and relationships, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. In summary, while this novel has its moments and presents the only enjoyable aspect of an otherwise less impressive authorial portfolio, its shortcomings, particularly regarding character development and historical accuracy, leave much to be desired. If you're curious about the author's work, this might be worth a look, but be prepared for some frustrating elements along the way.
Zhen Yongfu’s personality is such a contrast to Lu Qing’an—he’s loud, impulsive, doesn’t think ahead. But somehow he survives everything because of his insane luck. The way Lu Qing’an describes him as a “Son of Destiny” really fits. But now facing the Lifespan limit, even luck can’t save him? Or does it? The fact that the Immortals show up right when he’s about to die made me roll my eyes a little, like seriously, this guy’s plot armor is too thick.
The pacing of the bug battle is excellent. Each wave is described with increasing detail, and Qin Jin-Nian's learning curve is clear. The first wave catches him off guard, the second he handles with more confidence, and by the third wave, he's almost eager to fight them because of the rewards.
I’m not fully sold on the romance yet, but I think that’s intentional. Right now, it’s more of a survival co-op. Shen Lian owes the parents, Lin Xiaojiu needs support. That slow burn potential is real.