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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Xenophobia, Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, War
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Right, this series has well and truly sunk its hooks into me now. This volume is one of those where you can feel the pieces shifting into place, like a particularly intricate puzzle where half the pieces are still hiding under the sofa. And at one center of it all is Jinshi, who is clearly far more important than he lets on. Let’s be honest, we all suspected it from the start. But now I can’t shake the feeling that he might just be the Emperor’s reclusive brother. It would explain an awful lot. And if that turns out to be the case, I will be smug about having guessed it.
Maomao, being Maomao, was one step ahead of us all (as usual), but I still got completely swept away by the Moon Fairy spreads. Absolutely stunning artwork. For a moment, I just sat there admiring the detail before remembering that I was, in fact, supposed to be reading. Also, Shisui reminds me a lot of Kanda’s bug-obsessed daughter from “A Man and His Cat”.
And then there are the envoys. You can always tell when a character is important when the mangaka gives a little too much time making them look beautiful. The moment I saw the absurd level of detail in their designs, I knew we’d be seeing more of them. Either they’re major players to come, or the artist simply had too much fun drawing them to let them disappear after a single volume. I’m betting on the former. Also, a completely unrelated but deeply important note: Gao Shun’s begging face deserves a place in the derp faces hall of fame.
The Crystal Palace intrigue is definitely solidifying Maomao’s reputation at this point, which is equal parts impressive and mildly alarming, considering how much she really doesn’t want to be noticed by the wrong people. Still, seeing her outmaneuver the Head Lady-in-Waiting and rescue the sick maid was satisfying. Consort Lihua’s response to all of this was also a nice touch.
Although, I do have a few gripes. Occasionally, the modern-sounding dialogue feels out of place. Maomao thinking “overreact much?” in a historical setting feels a bit off. Also, her sudden invitation to join the Emperor at the Shrine of Choosing felt suspiciously plot-convenient, as if the story physically picked her up and plopped her down in the middle of things just to keep the momentum going.
Speaking of mysteries, I am very intrigued by the Shrine of Choosing and its caretaker. What is the caretaker’s connection with Luomen? And that final message at the end of the door? What did Maomao discover? What does it mean?
I don’t know, but I need to find out.
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No