I really liked the book and I would definitely recommend. Don't get me wrong, this book has it's flaw, but I like that author connected such a long story well and it was MUCH better than some of the reborn/transmigration romance fiction Chinese novels I have read. Here is a detailed review:
CONS:
1) Translation & Grammatical error: Names, relationship, grammar, gender and pronoun are messed up. And the usage of some of the real world countries name like "British" Manor , "Turkey" dessert or "Persian" silk was very awkward to read in a fiction!
2) Excessive description: Honestly, at times it was beautiful and the metaphors & comparisons formed a vivid picture. But most of the time, they were VERY REPEATITIVE. The hyperbolic and over description of the ML and FL's beauty was mind shatteringly boring. And the worst was the over descriptions of trivial things connected to leads but big matters were ended in a line or two like the last battle's aftermath, Li Yunrong's marriage, the romantic moments between the leads etc
3) Casual racism and colorism: I know it is common in Chinese novels but deliberately showing people of lower status to be dark, small minded and ugly and the only beautiful ones are white skinned is very racist!
4) Awkward details: There were some strange things that just came out of nowhere & become important part in the story like Li Yunrong & Emperor Taizu being transmigrator, Emperor Taizu's notebook, Emperor Taizu being saved by dragon, Chu yi's sister, Eldest Princess Feng Yang's legend, Emperor Taizu wanting Fengyang to be King, etc
5) Unrealistic relationship dynamic: Gu Yuan turning cold to Yunrong even after growing up with her, Yuan being suddenly overly attached to his newly back sister and not even being as attached or caring towards the older sister, etc. It would have been better and believable if he slowly lost his interest after their TRUE colors started showing
7) Dragging the story with unnecessary side story: There was some weird tangent, the story went and started telling story of side characters like Wei Wan, or Lu Qin and Hua family, or Zheng family silver etc. I would have preferred it if author focused a bit more on developing the romance or use it to tie some lose ends like Baili Yin's case, Gu Yuan and Yunzhen's life, etc
PROS
1) For me, one of the biggest pros was that no character was dumb. Whether protagonist or antagonist or even side characters, they were all smart and active. That made me look forward to the development of the story
2) Fleshed out characters: Though the FL was a bit passive about everything, I found most character believable which is saying something considering all Chinese characters are written cliche and 1D.
3) Likeable ML: I have always been horrified by how much Chinese novels especially reborn/rebirth novel focus on normalizing emotional manipulation, stalking and abusive behavior of ML. But here the ML was very well written and was really likeable. He trusted his woman, didn't get into her personal space, showed her respect and treated her like equals, always had frank and open dialouge with her, was protective but not possessive, was understanding, & courted her sweetly and patiently, making it more heart felt. There was NO stalking, NO abusive behavior, NO deception, & NO sexual harassment. He is by far my favorite Chinese Reborn novel ML.
4) Story development and connecting dots: The story did dragged and went to weird tangents at times but it never got completely off the main story and author did try to connect every side character story with main plot. The story followed opened with a revenge plot and stuck to it till the end
5) Beautiful depiction of female frdship: I am tired of reading stories where FL is always pitted against other women over the ML. As if other women have no other job in life except being jealous and having cat fights. So here the frdship of Wei Jiaoniang, Fan Mushuang, Lu Qin and Yanfei was actually touching and even fun
6) Spiritual power and limits: I was truly glad that the FL n ML were not omnipotent. They had to face lot of scheming, disbelief and limitations of being abandoned by heaven. Many of the time both had to rely on their cool headedness and rationality to fight with the situation especially Chu Yi. It makes you appreciate the leads more
It is definitely worth a read and was agood story overall
