Tag: light novels

Review – Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, vol 3

Posted January 31, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 2 Comments

Review – Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, vol 3

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 379
Series: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (LN) #3
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

SHOOT DOWN THE SUN

The bloody war against the Wen Clan once led Wei Wuxian to seek power in demonic cultivation, and the dark acts he committed drove a wedge between him and Lan Wangji. Now, those old sins come back to haunt him as his reincarnated identity is revealed to the cultivation world. But even as the other clans call for Wei Wuxian’s death, Lan Wangji stands by him, making Wei Wuxian realize what he took for disapproval in the past might have been a much deeper emotion.

The third volume of MXTX’s Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation flew by for me, with just a little pacing mismatch for me because of the rapid flips between the two timelines. It’s true that the long interludes in the past in Heaven Official’s Blessing weren’t always appealing either, but it’s weird and disorientating to flip back and forth quickly between chapters. I guess there’s no perfect answer there.

I loved seeing a bit more of young Wei Ying and Lan Zhan, all the same, especially Wei Wuxian’s first kiss, and all the tragic goings on of the fall of the Jiang Clan. I’m curious how much we ever learn about Wei Wuxian’s time in the Burial Mounds, and how he got back out: it might be one of those cases where less is more, much as in Heaven Official’s Blessing we never learn exactly how much Xie Lian has been poisoned, tortured, nearly killed, etc.

There are still a lot of characters and a lot going on, but I feel like I’ve got hold of most of the important things now. I’m curious how everything comes together, and — unusually for me — very tempted to start on the next book right away.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Divider

Review – Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (light novel), vol 2

Posted January 22, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (light novel), vol 2

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 403
Series: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (LN) #2
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

HAUNTED BY SIN

Following the trail of a dismembered corpse, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji arrive at the gates of Yi City: an old, abandoned town shrouded in mist and restless spirits. A fiendish foe awaits them in the shadows, heralding a tale of heartbreak and tragedy. When the mysterious corpse’s identity is finally revealed, the hunt for its killer plunges Wei Wuxian back into the depths of the cultivation world's politics, where he must keep his enemies close and Lan Wangji even closer.

Volume two of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation contains the Yi City arc, which takes up most of it and is absolutely heartbreaking. It takes a while for the full story to unfurl, and features a long flashback of seemingly limited relevance to Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s current story, but nonetheless it’s completely worth it. Son Lang and Xiao Xingchen’s story is so heartbreaking but lovely.

There is also some development between Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian, of course, including a kiss — though Wei Wuxian seems pretty oblivious to the full weight of his and Lan Wangji’s feelings, sigh. The bit where Lan Wangji gets drunk is, aaahhh, so ridiculous.

I’m still suffering a bit from the barrage of names, clans, sects, and relationships, but I have the character and name guide in the back to help, and of course a wiki. I’m getting there! Slowly. I’m gonna head straight into volume three to keep up the momentum.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish, vol 3

Posted January 4, 2026 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish, vol 3

The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish

by Xue Shan Fei Hu

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 404
Series: The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish #3
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

A FINE KETTLE OF FISH

When Prince Jing is sent to quell the disturbance at the western border, there’s no question that Li Yu will accompany him—as his boyfriend and as his pet fish! Li Yu’s mission is to help Prince Jing secure his position as heir to the throne. However, the new couple is in for a surprise when Li Yu makes a much bigger splash in the imperial line of succession: even male fish can lay eggs now!

With four bouncing baby fish in tow, Li Yu and Prince Jing must work extra hard to dam the trouble brewing at the border. Despite the challenges, Prince Jing is determined to make Li Yu his official consort. Will the emperor approve of this unusual union? And how will Li Yu and Prince Jing protect their new family from the treacherous machinations of the imperial court?

Volume three of Xue Shan Fei Hu’s The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish gives us Li Yu and Prince Jing’s trip to the borders — ostensibly out of the emperor’s favour, but ready to prove themselves and (in Prince Jing’s case, anyway) ready to make a good case that they should be given official sanction to marry. Plus, the system’s tricked Li Yu, and now there are babies on the way!

How this volume hits depends on how you feel about Li Yu and Prince Jing having kids, basically. There’s some other politicking, and some development in their relationship (including their marriage), but the babies are a pretty major feature, especially in the second half of the book.

For me, I thought it was adorable. I love the emperor’s reaction to them, I love Li Yu and Prince Jing’s growing excitement about and love for the babies, and I had so much fun with the babies’ silly hijinks as well. And I loved that Prince Jing and Li Yu are growing into themselves and maturing as a couple as well (though Li Yi remains a precious cinnamon roll).

I know a little about how the story ends, and I’m looking forward to volume four very much. It’s silly and a ridiculous concept and satisfying as heck.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Divider

Review – Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (light novel), vol 1

Posted December 18, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (light novel), vol 1

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 395
Series: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (LN) #1
Rating: three-stars
Synopsis:

Wei Wuxian was once one of the most outstanding men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts, knowledge, and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek a new power through demonic cultivation, the world’s respect for his skills turned to fear, and his eventual death was celebrated throughout the land.

Years later, he awakens in the body of an aggrieved young man who sacrifices his soul so that Wei Wuxian can exact revenge on his behalf. Though granted a second life, Wei Wuxian is not free from his first, nor the mysteries that appear before him now. Yet this time, he’ll face it all with the righteous and esteemed Lan Wangji at his side, another powerful cultivator whose unwavering dedication and shared memories of their past will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them.

The first volume of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation has a lot of fun elements, and I did enjoy the interactions (past and present) between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji — it’s really funny how Wei Wuxian teases him and gets under his skin in the past, and how he turns the tables in the present. I can see a lot of potential in that relationship, especially if I’m reading clues about their past correctly.

That said, this book does the mother of all infodumping, and the transitions between past/present aren’t that well managed. I’m not sure I quite followed all of the infodumps, if I’m honest: I’m kinda letting it wash over me, in hopes it’ll start to come together later (as has often happened to me with danmei, and with other non-English-language works with a large cast or complicated stories in the past). In some chapters there are pages of pure exposition, and it’s a lot.

I am intrigued by some of the other characters, too, and by some of the worldbuilding; I’m curious to know more about why Wei Wuxian became so reviled (and why some people still clearly think he did good things), and what the bigger story is going to look like. So I’ll definitely read more, but with the caveat that volume one (at least) isn’t the most polished.

Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish, vol 2

Posted December 9, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish, vol 2

The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish

by Xue Shan Fei Hu

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 412
Series: The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish #2
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Li Yu is settling into life in the lap of luxury as Prince Jing’s spoiled pet, especially now that he can turn back into a human once a day. Prince Jing seems infatuated with Li Yu’s human form, and romance begins to swell between the two men. Yet the secret of Li Yu’s identity lurks beneath the surface of their bubbly relationship.

Meanwhile, there are bigger fish to fry in the Imperial Court. It seems like every time Li Yu smacks down one of Prince Jing’s scheming brothers, another one emerges to plot against him! It’s up to Li Yu to make sure his handsome prince gets the happy ending he deserves. But will Li Yu himself be a part of the Prince’s future?

I went onto reading volume two of Xue Shan Fei Hu’s The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish more or less right away — I love Li Yu and Prince Jing, and I badly needed to read more about their adventures. Li Yu isn’t always the brightest, but he means well… and Prince Jing is an entitled and sometimes ruthless prince, but he cares strongly for Li Yu, and I love the combination of them.

I also loved that Prince Jing works so hard to obey the rules Li Yu sets, and to make Li Yu see that he’s serious. The calligraphy put up all over the palace, aahh…! “There are no other lovers. I adore you.” So cringe, but so sincere as well: Prince Jing can’t exactly shout after him, or voice his feelings aloud, so he finds his own way to shout it from the rooftops.

I love as well that Li Yu has a think about whether this has a future, whether he can be with a fictional character, and basically concludes that his feelings are real, and he cares deeply for Prince Jing, so he needs to seize the chance. He rarely stops to angst that “oh, these are just characters in a story”, but he also hasn’t entirely lost sight of it.

I’m always mentally comparing it to that other isekai-with-a-system danmei I’ve read, The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, and thus it’s a relief that the characters communicate about things, that Li Yu isn’t deeply closeted and is quite open to the relationship, and that they actually get down to it and get together before they nearly wreck each other and end the world. I love Shen Qingqiu, but Li Yu is adorable, and though there are some similarities in the setup, this is a very different relationship that I’m enjoying very much.

It’s all ridiculous, you can’t take it too seriously at all… but it’s a lot of fun, and genuinely sweet. I immediately went on to the third volume!

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish, vol 1

Posted December 1, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish, vol 1

The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish

by Xue Shan Fei Hu

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 436
Series: The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish #1
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

In this novel series originally released in Chinese–and coming to the English language for the first time–a man is transported into the historical world of a webnovel to win over a tyrant… as his pet fish!

When Li Yu falls asleep reading a webnovel about a ruthless, mute tyrant falling in love with a dainty male concubine, he doesn’t expect to wake up inside the world of the novel—especially not as a fish!

Li Yu soon finds himself adopted as Prince Jing's pet carp, tasked by a less-than-helpful Magic System with preventing the prince from becoming a cruel tyrant. If he can accomplish this mission, Li Yu will regain his human form. Yet how can he succeed from inside a fish bowl?!

The first volume of Xue Shan Fei Hu’s The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish is funny and cute. There are a few cringe moments (the “pearl”, I’ll say no more, ugh), and some very silly moments — but what else would you expect from a book with this premise?

Li Yu is precious, particularly with his growing commitment to and enjoyment of being a fish. I hope he never loses his ability to be a fish sometimes, even as he earns more human time, because he is so proud of earning his golden scales and being a handsome fish. I love him ending up slapping people with his fish tail to get things done, and other such ways of affecting the story.

I love Prince Jing too; he’s spoiled and not always very aware of other people, but he genuinely tries to make his fish happy, and to protect the people he cares about (few though those may be). Wang-gonggong’s devotion to him is great too; it’s clear he’s a person worth caring about, even if he can be arrogant and cold.

I know some of where this story is going, and I look forward to more palace intrigue, more ridiculous fish shenanigans, more of the fish-scamming system, and more romance.

As far as the art goes, it felt like there wasn’t that much of it, but flipping back there are a few pieces… they don’t stick in my mind very much, except for a couple with funny expressions and such. Mostly I think the style just doesn’t totally appeal.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Apothecary Diaries (LN), vol 4

Posted September 1, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Apothecary Diaries (LN), vol 4

The Apothecary Diaries

by Natsu Hyuuga, Touko Shino

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels
Pages: 336
Series: The Apothecary Diaries (LN) #4
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

A palace servant trained in herbal medicine finds herself in the heart of imperial intrigue in this enthralling period mystery!

Outside of her official duties, Maomao helps friends and acquaintances in the rear palace. Xiaolan needs a new job after her term of service ends, and Consort Lishu is convinced she's seen a ghost! Then, when complications arise with Gyokuyou's pregnancy, Maomao realizes her skills are inadequate to handle the life-threatening situation. Although Maomao knows someone who can help, they haven't been welcome in the rear palace for a very long time... Maomao also begins to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated incidents in the rear palace. Will knowing too much put her life in danger?

The fourth light novel of Natsu Hyuuga’s The Apothecary Diaries series was more fun again for me, after I wasn’t so keen on the third book. I think that’s because it has a more unified story and begins to pull together past mysteries and reunite previous plot threads. It’s one of the major moments for the series, in which Jinshi reveals more of himself, and we saw more of the politics of the world (rather than the tightly zoomed-in world of the Rear Palace).

I did find that I had a bit of difficulty following who was who, and also who believed what about whom. I feel like another read might help, or maybe reading the manga or watching the anime — I’ve found that helps before, e.g. with Heaven Official’s Blessing. The narrative is just a touch sparing of explanation, even when it seems to be explaining, somehow! Maybe because, accessible as it is, it’s in a whole tradition of stories I don’t know well.

In any case, I’m a bit keener to carry on with the series now, and see what the fallout is for Jinshi and Maomao. She’s outside the court again now, ostensibly in disgrace, and I’m curious if she gets back in or… what!

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (LN), vol 3

Posted August 25, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (LN), vol 3

The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter: Magic Research Exchange Plan

by Yatsuki Wakutsu

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 272
Series: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (light novel) #3
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

Seiichirou, a typical corporate slave, was mistakenly summoned to another world alongside a Holy Maiden. He met the handsome young knight, Aresh, and they began a physical relationship by necessity. However, over time they've become more like true lovers. Unable to face Aresh's deepening feelings, Seiichirou throws himself into his work. He's been appointed as a guide for a delegation led by a foreign kingdom's third prince. Just before the welcome party, the outfit Aresh prepared for Seiichirou sparks a huge argument. Days pass without reconciliation, and suddenly Aresh is approached with marriage talks! At the same time, the research team completes preparations for the magic spell to send Seiichirou and Yua back to Japan. What will the two of them choose to do?

This volume of Yatsuki Wakutsu’s The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter makes a cute end for Seiichirou and Aresh, with both of them showing that they’re all-in on their relationship. There’s a lot less of the controlling stuff on Aresh’s part, and Seiichirou’s dedication to him becomes apparent as well.

Various things come together in terms of the world-building as well, revealing a bit more of the world and its magic and traditions. We get to see a bit of another country, more of Aresh’s family, and more of the supporting cast (like Sigma and Ist). It’s a lot of fun, in general, and a satisying end to the story — though as the author says in the afterword, there’s so much that it’d be tempting to explore.

That said, there’s a lack of communication thing and a third-act sort-of-breakup that those who disdain those tropes might find annoying (and I found it excuciating), and it comes across as a bit surprising that Seiichirou is suddenly rather good at (and keen on) communicating, after previous books.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (LN), vol 2

Posted August 6, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter (LN), vol 2

The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter: Church Management Support Plan

by Yatsuki Wakutsu

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels, Romance
Pages: 272
Series: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (light novel) #2
Rating: four-stars
Synopsis:

After getting accidentally summoned to another world, former office worker Seiichiro ends up becoming extremely close with the handsome knight commander Aresh -- although what exactly that means remains ambiguous, even after they begin living together. Just as that's happening, Seiichiro meets a priest who reminds him a bit of Aresh. When Aresh returns from his latest expedition, will he find a rival waiting for him?

The second volume of Yatsuki Wakutsu’s light novel, The Other World’s Books Depend on the Bean Counter took me juuust beyond where I’d got up to in the manga (which was volume four, so they’re not quite in sync volume-wise), though there’s one more volume of the manga already out in English that I haven’t read yet. It’s a great step forward, story-wise, forcing Seiichirou to deal with Aresh’s feelings and consider his own, and also furthering Seiichirou’s plans for improving the kingdom and giving a bit more depth to some other characters (Yua, Yurius, Sigma) and world.

I’d say that the thing that bothers me most in the manga (Aresh’s controlling actions) seem… less bad, in the light novel? Maybe because we get a touch more insight into Seiichirou’s reactions, I suppose, and the fact that he doesn’t entirely seem to mind. There’s also a bit more clear intimacy between them that the manga glosses over a lot. It’s still a bit controlling (particularly the move to living together), but it comes across a bit better, and it feels a bit more obvious that Aresh is really young (including in the art).

I won’t say too much spoilery, but I am happy that we don’t have to wait until the end for clear feelings to be discussed between the main characters. I loved the inclusion of Seiichirou’s (unsent) letters to Aresh, because it’s an adorable insight into what he’s thinking, and Norbert’s extras are cute too.

Rating: 4/5 (“really liked it”)

Tags: , , , , ,

Divider

Review – The Apothecary Diaries (LN), vol 3

Posted July 26, 2025 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review – The Apothecary Diaries (LN), vol 3

The Apothecary Diaries

by Natsu Hyuuga, Touko Shino

Genres: Fantasy, Light Novels
Pages: 344
Series: The Apothecary Diaries (LN) #3
Rating: three-stars
Synopsis:

Maomao must help keep Consort Gyokuyou safe during her pregnancy. An imperial consort being with child is supposed to be a matter of the utmost secrecy, but this is the rear palace, where maneuvering and backstabbing are as commonplace as banter and tea parties. Threats seem to lurk around every corner — but it’s not just the rear palace keeping busy. Jinshi finds himself struggling to entertain a most unusual request from a pair of visiting ambassadors. Later, he’s invited to an important gathering in a faraway place — but who knows what dangers might be waiting for him?

I found volume three of Natsu Hyuuga’s The Apothecary Diaries (the light novel version) dragged a little bit, if I’m honest. It felt like there was quite a bit of filler, and it was harder to tell if there was an underlying linkage between the stories, even when they revealed more of the court and characters (and ultimately… with most of these chapters, there wasn’t a strong link to bring it all together).

It’s hard to tell since there are so many volumes, of course; maybe some of the details of these stories will become important later — and it is fun to see a bit more of the court and characters like Xiaolan and Suirei. But for me the potentially plot-forwarding bit didn’t come soon enough to really keep my interest in this volume.

Also, the “frog” scene was excruciating. Come on, Maomao, what good is all that doing?!

So I’m sure I’ll read more of The Apothecary Diaries, probably both the light novel and the manga; I love Maomao and her way of thinking. Buuut… I probably won’t go onto volume four right away this time.

Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)

Tags: , , , , ,

Divider