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Series Group
Thousand Autumns
Type
Web Novel (CN)
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Rating(4.5 / 5.0, 980 votes)
5    72% (710 votes)
4    15% (150 votes)
3    5% (53 votes)
2    3% (32 votes)
1    4% (35 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
N/A
Year
Example: 2012
2015
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
128 chapters + 13 extras + 5 new extras + 8 little weibo extras (Complete)
Licensed
Yes
Completely Translated
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
Release Frequency
Every 92.7 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #3971
Monthly Rank: #5421
All Time Rank: #848
Reading List
[Graph]
On 16667 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #10065
All Time Rank: #67

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Yan Wushi had walked a path full of blood and corpses.

He did not believe in the good nature of humanity. Even more so, he did not believe that there could be someone with great kindness and sense of justice, who would be so considerate of others without asking anything in return.

One day, Shen Qiao, who was the sect leader of Mount Xuandu, the number one Daoist sect under the heavens, was challenged to a duel but somehow fell off the cliff.

Yan Wushi happened to pass by down there.

Seeing Shen Qiao who was seriously injured to the point of dying, he suddenly came up with a perfect idea…

After thousands of autumns, who could stay eternal?

Associated Names
One entry per line
Qian Qiu
Thiên Thu
พันสารท
千秋
山河剑心 [Animation]
천추
Related Series
Peerless (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
Peerless (13)
Record of the Missing Sect Master (9)
The Founder of Diabolism (9)
Faraway Wanderers (8)
The Fourteenth Year of Chenghua (7)
Heaven Official’s Blessing (7)
Recommendation Lists
  1. BL Cultivation
  2. Most Favorite BL/Danmei
  3. Lidos
  4. Charming MC danmei
  5. BLs with decent female characters

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/09/23 guniangann c87
03/23/23 guniangann c86
03/21/23 guniangann c2023 new year extra
02/16/23 Treasure Chest Subs c2023 extra part3
01/19/23 Treasure Chest Subs 2023 extra part2
01/12/23 Treasure Chest Subs 2023 extra part1
09/29/21 superglue extra 13
09/25/21 superglue extra 12
09/22/21 superglue extra 11
09/16/21 superglue extra 10
09/12/21 superglue extra 9
09/08/21 superglue extra 8
09/02/21 superglue extra 7
08/28/21 superglue extra 6
08/25/21 superglue extra 5
123…10
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195 Reviews sorted by


ScarlettOhara
ScarlettOhara rated it
November 9, 2021
Status: --
Brilliant. This is what I’d call a masterpiece. Wonderful plot, brilliant characterization, and masterful writing. The writer brings verses of Taoism to life through her characters. Shen Qiao is a martial artist and the Sect Leader of one of the most revered Taoist Sects. He has never set foot outside of Mount Xuandu and was sheltered from worldly affairs. With no desire to throw himself or his Sect into political matters, he remains generally cut-off from everything. All of that changes when he falls off of Half-Step Peak in a... more>> compromised battle. After his fall, he loses his eyesight, his memory, his reputation, his prestige, and a majority of his martial arts skills. Also in a cruel twist of fate, no one seems to be looking for their fallen Sect Leader from Mount Xuandu. Someone invariably does find him though. That someone turns out to be Yan Wushi who is the Sect Leader of a Demonic fraction of martial artists. Yan Wushi, who believes that people are inherently evil, decides to test his theory. He throws Shen Qiao into situations that force him to make moralistic choices. Yan Wushi’s intentions are to taint this fine unblemished jade. To see if the Taoist remains good in a big bad world after his fall from Grace and after repeated betrayals. Boy does Shen Qiao surprise him.

I loved the writing the most. The wordplay, dialogues, humour, and the brilliant use of Chinese phrases. Additionally, the writer has interwoven slices of history and inserted historical characters into the fray. In terms of characterization, I loved Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi. Both of them are fundamentally so different and yet, the way they grow to accept, trust and love each other is the essence of Thousand Autumns. <<less
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Toungkoo
Toungkoo rated it
July 18, 2021
Status: c127
This novel is awesome, amazing, a master piece. Beautiful storyline, slow burn romance, amazing fight scenes. Thanks also to the translators who were able to convey the poetical aspects of the scenes. MC is such a lovable character, you just fall in love with him. He is strong, can fend for himself, not one who needs to be saved each and every time by the ML, even if ML does come and save him sometimes, yes not all the time. The slow burn is perfect. Great character development of the... more>> MC. The ML is evil but not despicable. It's a beautiful novel worth reading and re reading, and I must say I just can't have enough of it. The author is as usual awesome. <<less
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elqiao
elqiao rated it
June 9, 2021
Status: Completed
I watched the first few episodes of the donghua and was pleasantly surprised to find so much of the novel translated. This is really about 95% a straight up wuxia novel with the get together ultimately happening in the extras (a true slow burn!), but the conflict between Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi's different life philosophies and how they navigate the upheavals in both the martial arts and political world, as well as warm up to each other despite being polar opposites makes for some enjoyable reading.

I appreciate the author... more>> never really redeeming Yan Wushi, but that is also probably my one warning - he will do some awful things to Shen Qiao at the beginning and he will not feel bad about it. <<less
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Hua Shen
Hua Shen rated it
May 8, 2021
Status: Completed
Well... from where do I even start?...

First, mmmm...... this has been the 2nd best novel (after TGCF, 'from my opinion') I have ever read!!! This ranking of mine will never change.

It has an excellent plot and u will even want more of it. The MC is such a gentle, kind and a cutie pie >v<. He always stays positive minded even when it he who is been criticized and never fails to make people feel comfortable with him around them. I wish I could hug him ~_~. The ML.... like... more>> always a 'hard headed' one, he's not that evil which is the first thing what comes in people's minds whenever they think of him. He isn't that bad how they think he is. But yea he will melt by the the MC's glares anyways.

It is the type of cultivation novel where there is martial arts together with not-too-deep politics, which is fun to read and I love it!!

If u want to read a novel where the lead character is harsh and also not harsh on the main character at the beginning, but later admits his lose himself and is soft with the MC, then this is the 1st on the recommendation list for u.

THIS NOVEL IS A 'MUST' TO READ!!! <<less
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SailorUniCorn
SailorUniCorn rated it
April 19, 2021
Status: c69
*sees that it has been months since the last update*

Me: Okay, I'm gonna go cry some tears of frustration in a corner.

The translation is very good (well done, translators!). I'm so looking forward to the next chapter.

Damn, so far, this novel is amazing. Our main character Shen Qiao is an absolute darling, kinda like Xie Lian, with how soft-hearted and kind they are to the common people. And despite facing tons of betrayals, Shen Qiao still remains kind and true to himself (someone, protect this baby). However, Shen Qiao can... more>> be ruthless towards evil people when he wants to. As for our main lead, Yan Wushi.... I don't know if I hate him or not. Seriously, when you're starting to think that he's finally having feelings for our Shen Qiao, he goes and does something horrible. But I guess that's something good because we can't just expect such a complex character to suddenly have a change of heart. Anyway, I love the plot so far and the slow burn romance between the two characters, just makes it more realistic because these two definitely need more moments to develop their feelings towards each other. <<less
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aoiPunch
aoiPunch rated it
February 12, 2021
Status: c69
It's so good that I feel bad there's no one continue to translate this, I just hope someone come up and help. The donghua already reach up to ep.3 as well, I would be thankful if someone continue to translate this great novel.
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fight_fan001298
fight_fan001298 rated it
March 1, 2024
Status: --
Disclaimer: I don't know English very well, so I spent a lot of time editing this review. Sorry for all the mistakes you may find.

---

When I think of this novel, one word comes to my mind: freedom.

... more>> I've read a few other danmei novels, including the most popular ones. There were some genuinely good reads, but none of them managed to portray a relationship so unconventional, and yet, so mature.

I'm not goint to speak in length about the bad points of the novel, because the other reviewers have already said enough. There are some issues with pacing (the first 20 chapters might drag a little;
Spoiler

many important details are laid out in the extras, which is not a good decision for the plot; the split personality ark seemed a bit out of place

[collapse]
etc.) Anyway, the topic I really want to talk about is why Qianqiu is so different from other popular danmeis.

Why do I consider this story unique? The main reason is that both MC and ML decided to stay true to their character, in spite of all the things that they went through.

The most popular opinion is that people should inevitably change while being in a relationship. Personally I acknowledge the importance of compromise, and I think that it is completely natural to alter some aspects of your behaviour while trying to meet your partner's needs. However, if we're speaking about character, the core of personality, does it really have to change?

To me, the answer is no. There are people who don't want to change, and there are also people who don't need to change. Having an established set of values is a sign of maturity and personal integrity. Does someone have to lose these traits just to stay in a relationship? I don't think so.

When you are younger, your personality, or, more importantly, your perception of the self is subject to countless changes. Which is why most of teenage relationships inevitably fail - young people simply grow out of them. On the other hand, older people usually have a lot of life experience, which helps them evaluate their future more precisely, and allows them to set definite and realistic goals for themselves.

Both MC and ML are adults, well past their youth, with enough life experience to know who they are and what they want. (
Spoiler

MC is in his 30-ies, ML is in his 40-ies

[collapse]
). Neither of them needs validation or commitment, but, having found a person truly special, each of them decides to let this person into their life. The relationship between the leads is a pursuit of hope, an attempt to merge the opposites, a metaphorical war of beliefs which eventually results in peace and acceptance.

Regarding character development, it is well-done, especially for the MC. Qianqiu's plot can be summarized as the protagonist's rebirth, a journey to discover the truth about himself and his life.

The amnesia plot device, while being somewhat clichè, is also a very important addition to the story. I assume that memory loss was implemented in order to show the true nature of MC, to demonstrate that his goodness is not an acquired trait, but a stable and unshakable reality.

The characterization of the ML isn't really detailed, we don't get to know much about his past and his motivation. However, I still think that it serves the purpose of the novel. The ML was presented as a mysterious entity, a powerful presense in the main character's life that threatened to turn everything upside down. The explanation of his past could have possibly ruined the mood, and it might not even explain anything - the ML was simply meant to be an unfathomable mix of possibilities. He is a living whirl of chaos, always trying to shake up the stillness of the protagonist's life, and eventually, he succeeds in his endeavor.

As a result, a relationship between a naturally kind person and a mysteriously cruel person creates a symbolic representation of good and evil, aligning with the main theme of the novel.

The supporting characters are realistic and diverse, but we don't have much information about them. I think that it's not really surprising—amidst the two opposites (MC and ML), there's unlikely to be enough space for others. Nevertheless, there are some very interesting characters, especially Yu Ai and Bai Rong.

The other thing that makes this novel stand out is not just the ages of the leads, but the actual gap between their ages
Spoiler

10+ years

[collapse]
. In my opinion, this fits the main theme of the novel really well. MC and ML basically belong to different generations, which puts another emphasis on the difference in their thinking.

The interactions between the leads are like puzzles. MC and ML talked a lot more about jianghu affairs, than about feelings, which serves their characters so well. Their romance was more of a "show, don't tell" kind of thing.

But the main thing that made me enjoy Qianqiu is the openness of the romance. The story is almost completely devoid of jealousy, dog blood and meaningless drama.

Some people find beauty in the phrase "I can't live without you". Personally, I think that it's one of the most unsettling things ever imaginable. I am pretty sure that a pathological dependence on another person can ruin a person's life and sense of identity very easily.

In this novel, there is no unconditional love, no obsession, no "fated lovers" kind of stuff. MC and ML don't need each other to survive, they both are self-reliant and full-fleshed individuals.

They are yin and yang, black and white, day and night. They make each other complete, and yet they are still very independent. They choose to love the other person, while still being able to remain themselves.

This is what I call true freedom.

All in all, Qianqiu holds a special place in my heart. To me, this is a story of courage, perseverance, chivalry, and beauty. The best part of TA is probably the culmination in the ending (not going to spoil anything, but it left me in a daze for a pretty long time).

While reading the work, it becomes evident that the author has a strong grasp of Chinese history and literature. The prose is masterfully crafted, especially for a web novel. I actually caught myself rereading the descriptions of nature several times. I think they are one of the main reasons why this novel seems so atmospheric. Most martial arts techniques are also depicted in a somehow poetic manner, making the fights very engrossing.

If you're not deterred by unconventional relationship development and the specific nature of the ML (who is indeed a morally questionable person), then you should definitely read this novel.

Yes, it involves a lot of politics. It's not one of those novels meant only for fluff. However, personally, it has so deeply captivated my heart that even the most romantic stories pale in comparison to it.

I hope that you too will find something special in this novel. <<less
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https_huacheng
https_huacheng rated it
January 9, 2023
Status: c45
I saw quite a few people say they didn't like the ML because of a certain scene/his betrayal or they dropped the novel because of it. I just want to clarify that ML was acting in line with his personality, that's who he is, and that's how he's always been. He is not a good person and you can't just expect him to suddenly treat someone differently, he is staying true to his character. It's heartbreaking, I know. I spent hours recovering from reading that chapter, but you can't blame... more>> him and you can't blame him for feeling unremorseful or having a lack of apology towards the MC because that's literally who he is as a person. People can change but we have to remember that this is a man who treats people like ants. <<less
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Ireadbl
Ireadbl rated it
October 31, 2022
Status: Completed
I don't understand why people like the romance in this story. ML is a s*umbag should be a tag.

The ML basically just pushes MC to accept his feelings by making him feel bad for all the things ML gave and does for MC towards the end. MC has every right to not accept ML's feeling because ML took his heartfelt feelings and threw that on to the ground and stepped on it. ML claims that he doesn't need to apologize because MC knows what a s*umbag ML is. So pissed.... more>> So then MC forgives him because he owes him and a daoist like him must pay if off that whole spiel with daoists repaying their debts. I don't think MC owes him at all after all MC has done and gone through with ML. MC can't even chase off ML because he's weakened and it's also ML's fault. It annoyed me because of the power gap in that moment.

Anyways yes like another reviewer said MC is wholesome really well written imo, relationship/romance is garbage. +2 stars for MC and translator, -2 for the relationship what are other readers even thinking? Don't read if you don't want to reach the end waiting for ML to apologize, he never does! I feel like he could have forgiven a side villain but he doesn't because whatever plot and to contrast the treatment between ML and another person. Honestly ML did the same sort of thing.

There are people defending ML in the comments, "That's just his nature". NO

NO ONE has to accept ab*se from this jerk. MC can just leave him. I even doubt he's even in love with ML. I just, why?

From the 2023 extra Part 2:

Spoiler

"Shen Qiao thought to himself, 'I fear that if you lose, you will feel more inclined to seek revenge by taking it out on me. Given Yan-zongzhu's unforgiving nature, you always conjure strange and twisted notions that other people cannot fathom. It makes it rather difficult to be cautious with you.'

But in the end, Shen Qiao could not bring himself to say any of this, because such honest words would drive Yan-zongzhu to anger, which would only spell more suffering for Shen Qiao."

[collapse]

Just why... <<less
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Leviathan.James
Leviathan.James rated it
October 2, 2022
Status: Completed
If I needed to summarize Thousand Autumns into a single word, it would be phenomenal. I haven't been this invested in a book in a very long time. Often, I couldn't bring myself to put it down and inadvertently stayed up all night reading only to go into work the next day without a wink of sleep. Despite the difficulties this caused, I never regretted reading in lieu of sleeping.

Thousand Autumns is the Lord of the Rings of danmei.

If you're looking for a novel filled with political machinations, jianghu... more>> schemes, love and betrayal, and rising from the ashes, then this is the novel for you.

Something that I found especially enticing about this novel is that it's historical fiction -- that is, there are many characters in this book who were real people. Knowing the fates of these people in real life, as well as some of their experiences that weren't mentioned in the book, added an additional depth to the tale that I found fascinating. That being said, there are a lot of characters. I needed to look up a character chart to keep them all straight. Luckily, these character charts aren't hard to find!

The sheer complexity of this novel means it's not a light read. I don't recommend reading it when you're tired or distracted as you'll have trouble keeping straight all the people, places, and events. There are three main plotlines the novel follows: the main character's journey (this includes the romance with the ML), the political situation of the world, and the situation of the jianghu. Each of these plotlines is complex and extremely well-written. They all tie together seamlessly and wrap up cleanly by the final page.

The novel follows Shen Qiao, the former sect leader of Mount Xuandu. At the very beginning of the novel, he is seriously injured in a battle and not only loses most of his martial arts but also becomes blind. The story follows his rise from the ashes as he experiences the world outside his sect not only for the first time but also as someone disgraced and disabled.

As a character, Shen Qiao is truly remarkable. I would not be able to persist as he does. Despite all the suffering and humiliation he experiences, he remains kind and compassionate. He never stops being himself, never breaks under the pressure. I admire him because, had I experienced what he did, I would not have been able to remain kind. I would have turned into a malicious revenge-driven villain. Yet, Shen Qiao is able to repay grievances with kindness and this is exactly what causes the ML to fall in love with him.

That said, this is a very very slow burn romance. The MC and ML start out as nothing more than acquaintances before slowly reaching the realm of friendship. One thing I really appreciated about this relationship was the way the author handled the betrayal. Partway through the novel, the ML betrays the MC is a very bad way. It's only after the ML has completely broken the MC's trust in him that he realizes he actually has feelings for the MC. Unfortunately, by this point, the MC wants nothing to do with him anymore. If this were a movie, the ML would make some grand gesture to show his love and the MC would immediately forgive him and the credits would roll. But that's not the way relationships work, and that's not how it plays out in this novel. The ML has to spend the rest of the novel working hard to regain the MC's trust and prove that he's worthy of being trusted. Only then is the MC willing to risk his heart in the ML's hands.

By the end of the novel, the MC and ML are not actually in a relationship yet. That occurs in the extra chapters. However, the author's decision to end the book where she did is actually quite artful. The book comes full circle, ending in the same place where it began. From a literary standpoint, it's a very sound choice and is quite satisfying. The extra chapters continue from the exact moment the main story ends, making them easy to read. However, the content of the extra chapters is extra. It's not needed in the grand scheme of the story and what the author was trying to portray.

Still, I strongly recommend reading the extras. Not only for the satisfaction of seeing the MC and ML finally get into a relationship, but also because the extras reveal a number of events that play out in the future. Given that this is historical fiction, we know some of the events that will take place. The extras give us a chance to see how the characters respond to these real-world events. Plus, it's extremely satisfying to see the MC and ML remaining steadfast in their relationship 30+ years after the book ends.

One thing I will note is that, although Novel Updates says there are 13 extras, there are actually 16 extras. The "missing" three are the exclusive extras that were included with the physical copies of the book that were released in China (that being the traditional, simplified, and revised simplified versions). I had the good fortune of being able to read these extras and I hope they are included in the official English release as they are well worth reading.

All this being said, I am extremely pleased that Thousand Autumns has been picked up for an official English release. This is a novel that deserves wide-spread recognition and appreciation. Even if you've already read an unofficial translation, I strongly recommend supporting the author by purchasing the official translation.

In conclusion: I cannot recommend this novel enough. Just be mindful that since it has been picked up for an official English release, the unofficial translations will be removed sooner or later. There are few things worse than being partway through a novel when the translations are taken down. <<less
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DiavoloDigitale
DiavoloDigitale rated it
November 2, 2021
Status: Completed
Oh, how my heart aches. How it aches for this beautiful story. I'm going to immediately say that it's 10/10, but you can choose to read the full review in case you for some reason are interested in my insights.

There aren't many stories that, despite giving off the impression of a light read, are actually able to engross the reader completely, and, what's more, make them reflect upon their own life and the way they choose to live it. For me, Qian Qiu turned out to be such a story,... more>> and I cannot find the words to describe how it surprised me and pleased. I now officially regard Shen Qiao as the best main character I have ever encountered in cultivation novels and continue to marvel endlessly at how his way of thinking made me reconsider my own choices and the viewpoints I hold (I fool you not, I am still shook by this).

Apart form that, let me mention that the plot is great, incredibly interesting to follow. I am usually pretty sceptical when it comes to background storytelling in cultivation novels, as for me it all looks and feels the same, disregarding only some minor details. I originally thought it would be the case here, and it kind of is, but the way focus of the story shift from usual things to completely different matters makes it fresh and worth immersing into. I would even go as far as to say that Qian Qiu's romance line is pretty secondary on the general scale of things. I sure did come for it, but later realized the relations between people, political intricacies, and Shen Qiao's character development were the things that really kept me reading. Even without love or devotion present, it would still be an incredible story to experience, one full of predicaments, turmoils, and quite a rare and appealing chemistry between the characters that influence each other and grow, as the world around them changes. It is also a story that is able to give reader an immense feeling of accomplishment and fulfilment, of justice being served, loose ends being tied, and satisfying developments in general.

Not to overpraise, I will mention one thing that mitigated my catharsis slightly as I was nearing the end of the story. As much as I loved the interactions between Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi as well as their relations overall, I did not particularly like the way it all developed in the extras. Not to spoil anything, I will simply say that so many things were covered and said in main chapters, and one would righteously assume some "methods" would become different as a result, yet the means used to reach the set purpose remained the same. Surprisingly and kind of disappointingly (mind you, I am not lamenting about how it was in the middle of the novel and only mean the extras here). If I was to consider the way to avoid meeting this disillusionment head on, I'd say one should make a pause between finishing chapter 128 and starting the first extra. The end of the main story is simply perfect to stop at and give a thought or two to everything that one had experienced.

If you are extremely confused by my poor description of the only flaw I see in the story and are not afraid of some spoilers, read further.
Spoiler

I am talking about the forced kissing. I was not shocked by it in the main story as it was perfectly in line with Yan Wushi's personality, but after numerous passages dedicated to him "realizing that crude and forceful methods will not work on Shen Qiao" I was really upset to see it again. And the whole ploy planned by Yan Wushi for him to realize his affection... seriosly? The poor Taoist just needed some time, no need to overdo it, Yan-lang.

[collapse]
<<less
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shizunoticeme
shizunoticeme rated it
October 31, 2021
Status: Completed
Best BL story EVER! I'm now rotating between re-reading the novel, listening to the audio drama, and watching the donghua. Plot is a MASTERPIECE - I honestly couldn't stop myself from binging. I love both the MC and ML, their story is a unique one and all their interactions go from being comedic to sweet then comedic fluffy in the extras.

The contrast between Shen Qiao's kind and calm demeanor and his inner thoughts about Yan Wushi is golden. Yan Wushi's playful and flirtatious teasing is the only thing that can... more>> get this kind of reaction from the Daoist Priest.

I love how mature this power couple is - no unnecessary misunderstandings or drama. Over time, they come to understand each other on a deeper level and give their unyielding support for the tasks at hand.

It's funny to see the Demonic Sovereign ML become the biggest simp for the MC and
Spoiler

spoils him endlessly. One example - he asks Shen Qiao what his favorite animal is and gifts a cat to him in the chibi donghua extras. Pretty much sums up their relationship after they become lovers.

[collapse]
<<less
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fawx
fawx rated it
October 25, 2021
Status: Completed
I always have so much to say when reading a story but when I come to write a review, I feel like a blank paper. There are so many things I want to say, but I really can't seem to find the words to describe how much I loved this story. It has to be one of those novels that had the most conclusive and satisfying endings ever.
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Angelsoul399
Angelsoul399 rated it
October 5, 2021
Status: Completed
I always forget any novel I have read. But this one is crazy. I can't get it out of my head. This is the only novel that could make me like this. Most beautiful novel I have ever read. After all every novel by author Meng Xi Shi is amazing. So it is no surprise that another masterpiece was released. But I'm really wander how clever an author can be.....
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StarPhia
StarPhia rated it
October 4, 2021
Status: Completed
OK so its amazing. End of question. This story has to balance a lot of things and honestly, it is really good. I won't say that it is my favorite, but I really liked the story. There is some politics, fighting, OPness, romance, funny characters, etc what more is there to ask for. I have to applaud the author for skillfully balancing the more political stuff and the other story stuff.

Ok so for the plot. I love it. I actually had had trouble getting into the story and probably started... more>> it sometime last year or early this year, I'm not exactly sure. Anyways it is a little hard to start because there isn't too much happening at the beginning, but it really does start to pick up after maybe 20 chapters. I do really like the plot and how you follow the MC and ML to do various things and how the overarching story seems to just follow them. It's pretty good. I also think that the political aspect is interesting. They don't make too much sense since I'm not really a politic savvy person, but I do think there is an interesting little dash of the politics that bridges the secular and cultivation worlds in this novel unlike many other cultivation novels.

I love Yan Wushi. I'm sorry, he's great. IK he is an as*hole and kinda an awful person, but he's funny I guess. I also like the MC, unlike some MCs he isn't necessarily so optimistic and such, although he may internally be built like a cliche protagonist that has perfect morals and whatnot, but he doesn't really preach or anything and his goal isn't to be famous or anything. He is just quietly doing what he thinks is right and helping people along the way.
Spoiler

So I will address the thing. Yan Wushi was a total ass in the way he treated MC, but you have to give him some leniency cause he doesn't really know what being good is like and tries to change. He isn't even that awful of a person, maybe just really narsastistic. He certainly tries to be better to the MC and protects him. As someone who doesn't think there is any truly good will in the world and as someone that even distains it, he manages to at least fall in love with it.

[collapse]

Honestly, the MC and ML relationship is so cute. I love how ML teases the MC, but also loves him. It is cute and MC loves him.
Spoiler

It was really funny when ML bullied the child MC and then was completely lost when he started crying. Also since MC confesses to ML first, you can see that he does really like him.

[collapse]

One critique is that the romance could have been more a part of the actual story. They only got together in the extras, but there were a lot of romantic moments in the actual story. I mean it works with this kind of story, I just wish they had gotten together a little sooner.

All in all it is a great book. Love it <3 can't wait for season 2 of the donghuaaaa! <<less
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ukiiukii
ukiiukii rated it
May 11, 2020
Status: Completed
Thousand Autumns is a great read.

Shen Jiao is a wonderful MC, his growth and journey are very interesting to read. He's kind but not soft, naive but learns more about the world.

The ML, Yan Wushi is... well he's truly not a nice person, he does some pretty terrible things throughout the story but somehow he became my favorite character.

Even though they are complete opposites in many ways, they also complement each other quite well, and their journey and the way they impact each other is the core of the story... more>> and really fun to read about.

The thing that kept me from completely loving the novel is the constant barrage of side characters. The author will throw 5 or 6 new characters at us every chapter, give them no screen time or development and then not have them pop up again for another 50 chapters if at all. We also get side tangents about some of these irrelevant side characters that really interrupt the flow of the story and take away from the main journey and themes. It was really distracting and kept taking me out of the novel.

The more prominent side characters like Bai Rong and Yan Wushi's disciples are great, and I think a tighter cast with fewer but more fleshed out characters really would have added a lot to an otherwise great novel.

Overall I would highly recommend giving it a read. <<less
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dona
dona rated it
June 5, 2019
Status: Completed
This has a solid plot. Each character had their own purpose in the story. The politics is quite heavy in this one so I got often confused with all the names etc. Still it was a really interesting read however...

MC was too good-hearted. In yaoi we mostly get kind but weak MC´s. Here our MC is cool-headed and has strength to back it up but it just got too much with his innocence and always forgiving those who never asked for forgiveness. He kept trying to help people and everyone... more>> around him (including ML) kept betraying him so much so that I actually got shocked when there was finally a character that didn´t look down on him and treated him with the same kindness. He seriously suffers and it´s really unfair but that wasn´t my reason for giving this wonderful novel 3 stars.

At the end I was seriously disappointed at MC for not demanding a proper apology for the way ML treated him. MC pretty much became his loyal dog/friend and it just pissed me off. He should´ve given ML the middle finger when ML finally confessed his feelings but no, he never got a proper apology and the worst part is that he actually blames himself for all the times ML betrayed him. Calling himself too naive.. does that really justify getting treated like a rag doll by ML?

Point is, he was too much of a mary sue character, it´s okay to be kind but he let others walk all over him, and even when he managed to stand at the top again, it didn´t give me any satisfaction.

Despite my ranting, don´t let that stop you from reading it. The plot is quite good and there is proper character development in MC at the end, although quite a mild one. <<less
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SahKitsune
SahKitsune rated it
July 19, 2024
Status: Completed
Qian Qiu is a novel with spectacular worldbuilding and political intrigues that are very well constructed and developed. The characters are very diverse, meaning that even though they appear little (due to the huge cast), they are impactful enough for you to remember each one of them. But a warning for those of you who came for the "danmei" tag, the romantic scenes between the MC and ML are practically non-existent. The focus of the novel is entirely on political drama.

I want to leave another recommendation here. This novel... more>> has a slow pace at the beginning and takes a long time to really start. I consider the first 50 chapters a prologue to the story, just the introduction of characters and the construction of the plot's background, the preparation for the novel to truly begin. Only after an event around chapter 48, I think, does the whole thing move forward. Not that the beginning is boring, it's cool and interesting to read, I've never been bored, but it doesn't have that charm until it reaches this crucial point in the novel. So if you want to give up reading, give it a chance, I promise you won't regret it.

The MC (Shen Qiao) is a kind and very empathetic person, always trying to have a good first impression of people and not judging character by appearance or small interactions. He is that person who tries his best to find the good in people and difficult circumstances. However, this does not make him a naive and oblivious person. At first he had a certain naivety about the chaos that ruled the world and the difficulties and capabilities of ordinary people, as he lived in isolation from the world in his sect in the mountains. But as time passes, he opens his eyes (sorry I didn't mean to make a pun here lol). His development is mostly based on this.

Furthermore, he is that person who easily trusts people, but if his trust is betrayed he does not forgive easily and learns to be more cautious in future interactions with that person, never trusting blindly again. It's gratifying to see an MC who isn't naively good, who trusts everyone and is deceived over and over again by the same person. He also knows his capabilities, recognizing when he can and cannot fight and not needlessly meddling in others' business like some kind of altruist. He may be a good person, but that also doesn't mean he doesn't get angry or take pity on killing bad people when necessary.

The characters, as I said, are very abundant and varied. Each has their own fighting style, motivations and visions for the future. You can clearly see their personalities and differences, they are not those generic characters that all look the same and you don't even miss them when they disappear, on the contrary, despite it being difficult to record the names of more than 40 different characters, as soon as they return and the author reminds you of who they are, you remember perfectly who each one is.

There is also good female representation, with strong and independent women, and amazingly, they really have relevance to history. Women who aren't just there to be helpless damsels or petty/spoiled/jealous or just love interests. They have personality, strength and motivations.

Precisely due to the large number of characters, they end up appearing little, making it difficult to get attached to any of them. Of course there are exceptions, those that have a slightly greater focus than the others, but even then they don't appear long enough for me to really miss them (except Shiwu, he could appear in the entire novel that I would read with pleasure). Furthermore, because it is more focused on its plot, the novel ends up not delving as much into its characters, leaving the focus to the MC and a few others (and yet the plot remains the main factor of the work).

The worldbuilding is simply fantastic, with very varied and detailed fighting styles, each with its own specialty and types of cultivation. Each sect has its styles, each character has their individual way of fighting as well. Even the use of weapons is quite diverse, not limited to traditional fencing, going from musical instruments, whips to double swords. The way cultivation and battles are described are essentially poetic and beautiful to imagine, with nothing as dry as "he threw a blow, then another, jumped back and advanced again". Each movement is like a different feeling.

The politics are very complete and perfectly imitate the reality. With manipulations of emperors to obtain the best result, unexpected alliances between enemies aimed at individual interests, etc. Even more so because it is adapted to a real period and with the names of people and dynasties that existed.

The angst... oh I'm not even going to comment. I'm just saying that if you don't cry at least once reading this novel, you're not a human being. Despite being more focused on the political aspect, when it wants to make you cry, this novel does. Also, expect to be very disappointed with some characters and their actions.

Now the ML (Yan Wushi). Well, it's difficult to give too many details without revealing spoilers, but I'll try to summarize. He is a very interesting character, with a personality that is completely unusual for an ML, as he does not have that unlimited love for the MC. Thanks to this, his personality is well developed and independent of the MC, which makes him a very interesting character. His actions and motivations are intriguing and very difficult to predict. He's not essentially good, so don't expect that fair and heroic ML. He's also easily hateable
Spoiler

especially after betraying Shen Qiao just to humiliate him and enjoy his suffering

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This made me hate him with all my strength and I even hoped he would suffer immensely when he regretted it later on.

Spoiler

Which didn't happen, as he didn't regret it entirely, only regretting losing Shen Qiao's trust in the end, and not seeing his actions as wrong. But at least it took him a while to regain Shen's trust, and seeing him being rejected more and more made me genuinely smile. I loved that Shen also didn't forgive him easily (that was my main fear, knowing that the two would end up together in the end).

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Despite making me seethe with anger, these unusual actions and this truly evil behavior made me like his character. He's a tremendous bastard, but he's very unique, I can't deny that.

I loved the fact that, contrary to clichés
Spoiler

Yan Wushi did not become a good person in the end, contrary to the famous "villain who meets the kind hero and decides to change for him". Even though Shen tried to change it, even thinking that by showing kindness he would soften his stone heart, in the end he saw that it was useless, he couldn't change him and had to accept that fact. He still stands firm in his convictions that everyone is evil, does not agree with Shen's good deeds and still despises them. Of course, he makes some exceptions for Shen, such as minimally respecting those important to him. Overall, Yan Wushi is literally worse than any antagonist in the novel, since most have motives (even selfish ones like the search for power or revenge), but Yan Wushi doesn't, he really just likes to see other people's suffering. He also doesn't have a tragic story that justifies his evil, he's just inherently bad.

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Finally, the romantic aspect. As I said, romantic scenes are scarce and given the fact that neither Yan Wushi nor Shen Qiao are the romantic type, their interactions end up not being the cutest even in these moments. There is no big declaration or heart-warming phrases like "I would die for you a hundred times", "I would never think of anyone other than you" or "you make my life have meaning", don't expect things like that. Their thing is more like "I care about you, you care about me, we like each other and that's it", they don't need to reaffirm or be clingy with each other, they enjoy each other's company and that's okay. Furthermore, they will only really get together at the end (practically only in the extras), so if you are not patient and want to read it for the main couple, I repeat, this novel is not for you.

Now for those of you who are looking to explore a new cultivation universe, and meet many new characters, I guarantee you will really like Qian Qiu. <<less
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pinkrainchild
pinkrainchild rated it
January 6, 2024
Status: Completed
So, let me start by saying that I did enjoy myself while reading this. It was a very compelling and well written/well translated story, there wasn't a moment where I wanted to put it down or read something else. I think Shen Qiao was a great MC, and I thoroughly appreciated his kindness and pragmatism. He absolutely carried the story for me, and if he weren't so great, I probably wouldn't have been as invested. However, the romantic elements of this story were pretty much nonexistent. There wasn't a single... more>> interaction where I felt like rooting for the MC and the ML and didn't find any of their interactions romantic. The ML really was pretty despicable, but my issue lied less with him being so unlikeable, and more with the fact that there just weren't enough scenes explaining or showing us WHY MC would take to the ML. It just felt like the author was telling us that they wanted to be together, and didn't really take the time to properly develop their relationship despite there being 140 something chapters. I will also say that I felt the ending was beyond anticlimactic and abrupt. Honestly, 10-15 additionally chapters fully fleshing out the events at the end would have served the story well.
Spoiler

Also, the reintroduction of Hulugu did absolutely NOTHING for the story, and felt so pointless, I struggled to understand why he was even brought up again at all.

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Invincible Cucumber
Invincible Cucumber rated it
April 22, 2022
Status: Completed
I haven't read anything so dry and uninteresting in a while...

Novel is 95% very boring political/martial art essay, 4% funny, smart and from time to time sassy flirtatious dialogues and maybe 1% of PG13 romance...i had to skipp and skipp so much, it honestly giving me ptsd just thinking about it again.

I honestly feel robbed and cheated cause I read the whole damn thing, thinking maybe in the next chapter we will get loooong expected satisfaction and a little bit of sweetness, but nooo, author "don't write about that stuff"... more>> (i would call it lazy and inexperienced writing, but that's just me)...

Also translation was great for maybe first half of novel, cause they also translated all the names and martial art terms, but then someone took over and started using literal Chinese terms for everything, so I got completely lost....i mean everything is, shiang..., shong..., sheng...

I have much more to say, but I don't want to waste any more time on this, I definitely don't recommend this to anyone, except maybe if you are retired politician or military strategist... <<less
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