Legendary, dramatic, painful, sympathetic, etc. My first and favourite danmei. MXTX wrote one of the most lovely pieces of contemporary literature. Maybe I'm biased, but it's really darn good. And it seems the revised edition is even better. Symbolism, themes, ah! Nearly everything is simply *chefs kiss*. ... more>>

Spent $100 on a matching deluxe enamel pin set on Kickstarter because I'm that obsessed. Plus the pins were stunning.  <<less

Iconic salted fish ghost/demon deity awakens from centuries-long sleep to find himself in the modern world, and decides, 'damn, I like their food'. And the... more>> peace. Meanwhile, weird ass OP (partially-)human hunter "coincidentally" runs into him, and they become supernatural detective partners who very quickly move in together, very slowly fall in love, & discover their shared past and the nature of their existences. Absolutely hilarious, very sweet (in their relationship growth), absolutely horrifying (the intense, warped gore, literally the evil of humans, supernatural phenomena, etc.), and very cool (emotions and primordial deities?! yes please!!) <<less

Iconic 2020 anniversary edition Chinese set covers! I also edit/write much of the Fandom Wiki! Just look at the ratings. I do not disagree. This... more>> is an awesome novel. As another person once said, the plot is delicious, and the romance is an additional bonus! <<less

Ridiculously long, filled with angst, ridiculous misunderstandings, glorious comedy, despair, horror, disgust, hope, corruption, hatred, kindness, and so on. Truly an epic of (post?)modern literature.... more>> CWN is a favourite silly goofy (not) little man. Also, his 2.0 version is just so darn cute when faced with genuine acts/words of affection... 2.0 MR did what he could to redress his crimes, even though they were mostly not even according to his will (though the debates of corruption and hatred, redemption, etc. make this a very difficult and ethically-questioning conversation) & in the end, they live (relatively) happily every after (though there were several characters that deserved better, ok?? I mean y'all, the gender-subverting and righteous, compassionate Ye Wangxi and prideful but radically good Nangong Si. I can't believe I'm rooting so hard for people who are technically straight but also gay as hell--). Vol. 6 was insane for the citrus scenes, three times and none were even penetrative lmfao. One was practically exhibitionism, when another is pretty damn close. And Chu Wanning is the hottest tree babygirl. Meatbun cooked too hot with this.  <<less

Mo Xi is such a cutie pie (when he's not being OP and/or traumatized af). Love him so much. Truly the people's princess. And Murong... more>> Chuyi, of course. And I am more tolerant of Murong Lian now, compared to my initial cursing-out at the sight of him. Gu Mang, my dude. Went through hell. Both sides of ximang did, though certain aspects are beyond comparable. Class and societal commentary upon a xianxia setting!! And they truly deserve rest and peace for the rest of their lives and afterlives.  <<less

Ji Yushi is so hot and smart that even "homophobic ultimate straight man" (complete lies btw) Song Qinglan is obsessed with him. And Ji Yushi... more>> accidentally gives him a gay awakening, while getting petty revenge (to iconic levels) on his alleged h*mophobia and dudebro-ness. He also has three cats, which make Song Qinglan hilariously jealous when JYS intentionally does not specify that they are cats and not boyfriends.  <<less

Involuntary enemies to lovers, magic and diegetic religious criticism, multiple mutual turning points, TWO stubborn self-sacrificing people in a very complex situationship (that is, institutionally restricted love), two powerful and calculating and rebellious involuntary teenagers meeting and learning to question long-held beliefs + institutions/practices/expectations, and more! Absolutely delicious. ... more>>

Also, they're both demons on multiple occasions, not that it stopped Hun Yao OR Langmuir, let's be real. Langmuir genuinely joined up with the demons and got #1 annoying but devoted ML out of it. Got the whole cultural-immersion experience. And Hun Yao got a classic slow background crematorium arc. Non-linear storytelling, and the themes, symbols, and motifs?! All in 78 chapters ranging 14 years all frequently visited and weaved together. Masterful. 

They have a happy ending. After a genuinely meaningful death, and the challenge to choose what you want for once after reaching the end of lifelong selflessness. And Hun Yao's acceptance of both the circumstances (altruistic martyrdom) and choice to surrender his own future (life let's be real) to the person he ens*aved and almost broke for his irreversible and ultimate freedom. 

And the 'Reborn' extra, where Hun Yao gets a chance to return to his past and atone for his past actions toward Langmuir after he surrendered himself as a holy sacrificial s*ave. And Langmuir getting to awe (intimidate and terrify) this past Hun Yao with his absolute badass and hella strong self into re-orienting his intentions/potential. 

Summary: A divinely-granted meal experience, though certainly a socially-critical and trope-rejecting (but also accepting sometimes) one with lots of spicy seasoning and sweet desserts. And the mutually-active relationship and personal growth. Nice. 

Is it shōnen-ai or yaoi? Who even knows? It's a damn psychological and philosophically-questioning text! They literally get it on quite frequently and increasingly enthusiastically over a period of several years, yet it is rarely explicit (and even then, what constitutes 'explicit'?). Clearly they have some ideal of a healthy s*x life, including Langmuir slowly coming to enjoy participating in + initiating s*xual acts with Hun Yao, while also having other severe psychological issues and existential religious trauma. Wild balancing of a lot of seriously-examined topics. 

My post-semester academic-wired brain is currently incapable of calming down during winter holiday. Maybe I can write an article or published review of this book someday. That would be epic.  <<less

Very nice. Mu Su Li production, aka top quality. Multiple time periods and (lack of) memories woven together in a coherent and satisfying way. Also,... more>> the absolutely shameless and batsh*t insane CP. Absolute icons. Overshadows any concerns about realistic depictions and what not. Who cares? It's a wild ride.  <<less

Very cool and horrifying imaginations of future technological and supernatural dystopia. Many themes and interesting portrayals. Body horror. Lots of body horror. Ji Chuyao (and... more>> Turing) is best boy. And so is Si Yuan, his higher-dimensional tentacle step-child. Featuring a pe*verted (to his students, not classmates/coworkers) OP mentor figure that is NOT Gojo but acts like him often (while also being far more wtf), a lot of personal and ethical questioning, and decent parental/familial relationships! And a lot of interesting interactions with class difference and the natures and horrific possibilities of humanity.  <<less

Question fate, tropes, and be a parody! Have that ambiguous shizun/saviour-disciple relationship. And a very sex-positive female demonic cultivator (I wish she had gotten with... more>> the female 'protagonist' though, missed opportunity).  <<less

Very Lovecraftian horror, shares certain imagery and themes from Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Murakami Haruki. Also featuring a "god" and... more>> a human who slowly acquires the power of a "god". The octopus plushie is very cute. Perhaps a few too many eyeballs in this story but what can ya do? <<less

Two red flags cancel each other out (mostly green underneath in the most important places though) and build up insane s*xual tension and underlying energy... more>> while they're at it. And some commentary on recent major commercial/industry events & explanations of some key stock market terms/concepts.  <<less

"Dumb and delicate beauty" (but somehow capable of many, many impressive actions/consequences) aka one of the cutest damn wifeys you'll ever read. I would also love to rail someone like that every other day, so Lin Bozhou, I get it, and appreciate you for gracing us with a lot of s*xual tension. ... more>>

This deserves the Comedy tag, it's absolutely hilarious. MC is a transmigrated struggling gay artist and college student, ML is down BAD for this "innocent" white lotus that drew nsfw yaoi fanart for a living back in the day. Killer combo, and the subordinates/servants/etc. have so much tea to spill at all times now. MC is so funny, mans knows his limits and acknowledges his weakness to ML type and a certain performance metric LMAO "Buddha I have sinned" PLEASE. No chill, whatsoever. Basically, 'manipulate and mansplain? nah, manwhore, but only for my husband... ig I'll just be a pillow princess' but proceeds to overthink it in the most entertaining way possible. Then accepts his fate of a sore back very fast after the aphrodisiac incident. 'We already did it once, so what's the big deal with doing it again?' type nonsense. Truly comical behaviour but also very real in his broke college student clownery. Plus his husband is hot, and loves him. So really, what other option is there?  <<less

Truly enemies to lovers. Like, "actively attempting to kill you" enemies to star-crossed lovers-type stuff by the end of vol. 3. They don't even last... more>> a single volume before having "hate" s*x. Xiao Chi'ye switched up sO fast... Shen Lanzhou was right to keep him waiting for a while lmao. Two people with f*cked up circumstances and major reign-changing power plays go from initially opposing players to some weird s*x partner situationship (my god this word is so applicable to so many of these danmei I like) to emperor and his hot and also very powerful Xiao Fei~. Historical mystery and political intrigue. And some good ol' tragedy and lesbians in the mix. Fantastic.  <<less

This one is right on the line for a 'tragedy' genre tag. ... more>>

Very sad and angsty. Both are trapped by their circumstances and responsibilities, but do their best regardless. Even then, it is rarely enough, but they learn to acknowledge their shortcomings. ML doesn't stop MC from leaving near the end, respecting his choice despite how much it will hurt. MC changes his mind on his own after seeing ML's devotion to loving by letting go, and returns. Happy ending despite the sadness before it.  <<less

Minimal angst, and 200% comedy. Both are tsundere and ML is the king of hell. His dad is also very entertaining. Mom seems very cool and clearly knows how to deal with her beloved idiots, husband and son. Butler Bai needs a raise, he and Yin Yu need to start a union. ... more>>

This was such a fun light read and certainly one for anyone who wants to get absolutely drowned in dog food and messy tsun-tsun courting of long time "rivals" (you know everyone around them was waiting for them to finally get together lmao).  <<less

HILARIOUS JFC I AM ROLLING. MC is so insanely funny (an absolute mood, a true fudanshi icon). I love the coworkers and He Yu, she's a true comrade. Sees a BL plot play out right in front of her eyes in real time. Xie Jing is silently sipping vinegar, he's already so possessive and MC doesn't even know he likes him yet AHAHAHA. But Xie Jing definitely knows about MC's BL inclination to some extent, he has to, considering some of those reactions. He's doing his best here, bro's down BAD. And his capture target is in denial pfft. ... more>>

Xia Ye is such a chaotic wingman, got no chill whatsoever. Exposes MC on the daily. Mutual wars of pettiness. Also the translator keeps switching between he/she pronouns so... GENDERFLUID CHARACTER AYO?! LET'S GOOOOO!!! Btw Zhou Xuyang def knows something's up with the two main dummies, but is very lowkey (or has been recently awakened to his ~ship~ with He Yi, supported by He Yu and MC, of course!). 

"I often suspect that we are a small psychiatric hospital disguised as a BL editorial department." Where else are you finding that. I need to know so I can read more -_^ 

One reviewer found the jokes a bit repetitive after a while but honestly I never got tired of them. They're all so funny and I found them so amusing after reading other works that seem to normalize poking at vulnerable groups as comedy through characterization, uncritical stereotypes, etc. 

And MC's right. LMAO. This is genuinely one of the most crack-fic novels I've read, but it WORKS. It's so entertaining. Tropes are subverted, or overwritten with a bit more parodied (to me, at least), and everyone is slightly unhinged either because of their proximity to BL or being impressively eccentric. Plus MC/ML's relationship doesn't just grow after some major unnecessary and angsty misunderstanding. It's only comedic misunderstandings (and two characters who are NOT going to let potentially hurtful misunderstandings/assumptions go on too long, and would rather communicate, and ask questions/observe the other person's reaction and ensure things are clarified before causing trouble). Amazing.  <<less

Lin Yi does not know how to listen, and Qin Zhou is so stressed about it at all times. They both catch feelings because they're... more>> both compatible, capable, intelligent idiots. And they f*ck on a beach just before a major narrative event and traumatic past reveal/separation. Extras are blessed, except 221, that one's depressing. Cheng Yang and Ren Li are just too hilarious, they give major ItaFushi energy (even the dead sibling :D). I would read a 200 chapter version of this story from their POVs + their relationship. And the happy ending is very nice. Clutched onto that for dear life whenever things got unbearably hopeless.   <<less

Nan Deng is so friggin cute and Lian Yi is a doting husband. Romance progression is fluffy and adorable, and there is relatively effective communication!! Misunderstandings are not drawn out, but resolved in a timely manner. Xiao Tu is a menace, and reminds me of a more gremlin-like Goose from Captain Marvel. Nan Deng's array of earth spirit visitors is quite entertaining, especially after Xiao Tu starts being a fashion model. ... more>>

Spoiler alert: Lian Yi dies. But he's fine, actually, because he's OP as hell and so in love with Nan Deng that he comes back as a literal god alongside his adorable (and also OP) mountain god husband. And Lian Yi, ghost god edition, has very few inhibitions about getting it on with Nan Deng (every night jfc, gods are built different). And Nan Deng is clearly not opposed to this arrangement. No dubcon here folks, only enthusiastic consent on many occasions! And mirror s*x, goddamn. I'm actually quite surprised there were even a few sentences vaguely referencing their healthy s*x life and particular instances. In a good way, of course.  <<less

Legendary ghost husband chases and woos reborn human exorcist. ML is the ultimate househusband, while also being OP as hell. MC is also very very... more>> strong. MC also has some difficulties at first with the knowledge that Jing Xian is his ghost partner, but after seeing JX's devotion and care and love, accepts his feelings and starts to return them. So darn sweet. RIP bystanders, they get stuffed with dog food every moment.  <<less

Same author as Global Examination!! Main cast is entertaining and the CP is fun. No excessive slow burn, they get their sh*t together in a... more>> timely fashion. <<less

Jian Shu is the best boy. Even if they were separated, Pei Ce did come back for him once able, and they lived happily ever... more>> after. They're so good.  <<less

Ooohh they cute. Ye Jingzhi is such a lovebrain (+ moral virtue model true), always listening to Xi Jia's suggestions/comments. And Xi Jia is consistently just speechless at the celestial masters's methods and images. And beats up ghosts. Mr. Capable. ... more>>

MC about ML: "Nowadays, Qidian male protagonists wouldn’t even dare be written so Mary-Sue-like!"THIS AUTHOR'S (BASICALLY) IN-TEXT COMMENT: "Not good, must stop. If these thoughts continue, it’s possible that this novel might get locked." 

The CM's internal (kind of) "Ghost Knows" social media is so funny. E.g. chapter 23: "Underneath “Ghosts Know”’s announcement, everyone in the Xuanxue world complained that Qin San Shi was really negligent of his duties. Didn’t even properly go to the capital to reminisce, didn’t even go and be a proper malicious ghost, and actually ran to the movie city to act." Like, what other book will you find this gold in? <<less

The extras were quite funny, and the shifu's actual identity was also quite the reveal, though not too surprising. MC/ML are truly OP as f*ck.... more>> Sadistic bastards who rule together stay together, it seems. If only y'all could communicate once in a while.  <<less

Local college history prof gets yeeted into the past as a cannon fodder historical figure (sorry, but it's true ;-;) married to (temporarily) disabled enemy rebel state's top general. They're both very intelligent people who are apparently great at manipulating others to some extent, but they are both genuinely so clueless with each other. Ha. To be fair though, they were trying not to get mu*dered. ... more>>

Took them a hot minute to actually confess and sort out their feelings, including several near-death experiences!! Also, the extras include MC being transmigrated back to modern times + ML also being yeeted into the 21st century, both with buried memories. Leads to a potential school ethics violation, but who cares, this is a book about transmigration and ~drama~ anyways.  <<less