Consider reading Who Moved My Ashes if you enjoy short love stories with painful themes.
Who Move My Ashes is a brief yet impactful story. Its biggest strengths are its heart-wrenching opening, relatable themes, and quick pace. I instantly became invested in the characters. The author's ability to convey the characters' pain made it easy to connect to their experiences, especially for anyone who has encountered such grief in their own life.
As the tragedy faded (the best way to explain it without spoilers), I became less committed to the characters and less immersed in the narrative. At times, following which character did what became difficult and distracting. I can't tell if that was because of the story, translation, or reader, though.
If you enjoy slow-burn sapphic stories in historical settings with strong female leads and don't mind a little sci-fi twist, consider reading this web novel.
Please Don't Laugh (PDL) novels are very challenging to review!
First, I want to give the biggest shoutout to the translator, Melts. They have actually changed my life. Their introduction to PDL novels has greatly enhanced my reading enjoyment over the past year. I appreciate all the effort they put into making Rùzhuì not only accessible but also understandable.
I'm writing this review with absolute admiration, as it is fitting, but also a little disappointed. While I am persistent in my fondness for PDL and believe anyone who has dedicated themselves to a PDL novel agrees that they are one of a kind, I cannot say Rùzhuì was my favorite.
The novel touches on significant and important familial, social, and political themes. It immerses the reader in the world and lives of the characters to an extent you could never imagine from the beginning. Ultimately, Rùzhuì leaves the reader feeling like they have said goodbye to a friend.
Rùzhuì ventures into different genres, which I deeply respect. However, the science fiction elements didn't resonate with me; they felt underdeveloped and almost like a tease. I am so glad PDL stuck with the genre-blending in this story (despite some pushback from readers) and is growing into an even stronger writer in the process. Surprisingly, I didn't connect deeply with the characters. While prior PDL novels left me emotionally wrecked, Rùzhuì didn't evoke the same sentiment. There was also notably less angst—an element I would have told you previously is a must for any PDL novel.
Despite my comments in the paragraph above, the storytelling was still captivating, and I was devoted to this novel. PDL's unbelievable ability to craft intricate characters remained intact. Overall, while Rùzhuì may not have hit the 5.0 mark for me, I still recognize the talent and effort behind it. I will forever admire PDL!
If you enjoy supernatural stories in historical settings with strong female leads and don't mind a bit of teenage drama, consider reading this book.
This story blended a few of my favorite things: historical fiction, fantasy, and strong female characters. The settings, from India to Victorian England, caught my attention right away. My interest dipped once the mean girls appeared. The characters displayed occasional moments of maturity, but I couldn't help feeling frustrated by their young adult insecurities. The good news is that I was pulled back into the story whenever the magical elements emerged. Thanks to those fun mystical themes, I devoured this book fairly quickly.
One thing that bothered me was the depiction of animal cruelty towards the end. Also, the book’s conclusion felt very rushed and oddly flowery. I finished the book feeling indifferent and not compelled to pick up the next installment in the series.
I'm in the process of cleaning off my bookshelves. It's clear why 22-years-younger me loved this book. I can still appreciate its allure, but I will pass the book on for another to enjoy now.
If you're a fan of MDZS, I urge you to read The Dragon. The novel will fascinate you with its rich cultivation world and captivating female characters. You'll be happy with what it has to offer!
I had to get that out of the way for those who will only ever see a glimpse of my review before they continue scrolling.
This novel was fantastic! It delivered the cultivation setting I was yearning for, introduced me to the type of fierce female characters I'm now deeply invested in, and stirred up a whirlwind of emotions that kept me engaged.
How are there so few reviews of this web novel on Goodreads? I. Do. Not. Understand. There are some similarities between the novel and MDZS, including the genre, story arcs, and character interactions. At the very least, a quarter of MDZS lovers would at least find delight in The Dragon. This novel has much of what you want as an MDZS fan, but this time, with female empowerment! Unlike MDZS, where I can only remember one female character who didn't die a horrible death, The Dragon is full of female characters absolutely crushing it in life. I love it.
Speaking of those badass characters, Gu Fuyou initially drove me slightly bonkers due to her immaturity. However, GF's "growing up" deeds were central to the story, so her initial childishness was necessary. Ultimately, GF thrived as an adult and never gave up on fighting for what she believed in. Zhong Michu was, thankfully, more mature than GF from the beginning. It helped that she had a few hundred years on GF. ZM started the story and finished the novel as my favorite character. She was mature, to begin with, but still evolved. She was patient but also confident. Affable but strong. Calm but passionate. Her pain was so palpable that it made me cry, but her joy was also so heartwarming that it made me physically smile. ZM was not only GF’s rock and guide but also the rock and guide of the entire story.
The Dragon could be a good option for readers new to the cultivation genre. Initially, the author genuinely and effectively attempted to explain the cultivation basics to new readers. I was impressed by the effort. I read more on Google than the story during my first dive into the cultivation genre. So, I appreciate that new readers wouldn't have had to do that. The educational effect was dropped as the chapters progressed, but that was okay. If new readers have made it through the book's first third, they are in it for the long haul by then.
The length of the novel was perfect. It was shorter than I'm used to, but that was also refreshing. The shorter length of the story also helped to develop the ending. Most web novels I've read until now have a sudden ending that comes out of nowhere. Then, the authors add some extras to make the reader feel better. This novel had a drawn-out ending, which I wasn't initially sure about. The story gradually wound down as loose ends were tied. You didn't need to read any extras to feel better, and you didn't feel quite slapped in the face with a disappointing ending. In the end, I liked how this novel was completed because the end of the book was just that, The End.
What was missing from the translation was, well... a translator. It felt very machine-generated heavy, and there was none of the personal touch I'm used to. I think Melts and Douqi have spoiled me. I'm still super grateful to the DragonTL group for their translation. I would not have been able to enjoy this fantastic story without their hard work. A million thanks!
This was a stream-of-consciousness short web story. I'm too old or too ignorant of web novels to have really enjoyed it. Even though it was translated, I needed further translation...
It did make me laugh! But I wouldn't have finished the story without aShinyVaporeon's glossary on Novel Updates Forum, which I found while re-reading chapter two. Even with Aeryn's English translation and aShinyVaporeon's glossary, I had no clue what was happening half the time. I believe the translator even struggled with the story sometimes because, at one point, they noted, "I feel like I've lost IQ translating this chapter lol."
This web-novel was disappointing. I'm unsure if it was the translation or the story itself, but I often found myself zoning out. I even had to re-read several of the early chapters! I had a tough time staying engaged.
I never fell for any character, not even the MCs. One was obnoxiously arrogant, and the other was a complete pushover - not my favorite personalities. I was kind of bored by them.
This spicy and delightful romantic comedy had me laughing out loud and blushing in public. The web novel features a touch of political intrigue, a sweet partnership, a few steamy bedroom scenes, and even a dramatic twist. Its length made it a perfectly bite-sized, amusing read.
I cannot say enough how impressed I am with the translator's work! This translation is my favorite of all time due to Douqi's remarkable personal touch. The effort and dedication put into this translation are evident. Without the translator's notes, numerous concepts and Chengyu would have been completely lost to me. Douqi offered me a deeper understanding of the story, significantly improving my reading experience.
This novel is like a bajillion words long. It truly deserves a bajillion-word-long review. But I'm not a writer, so that won't happen. It's a daunting task to review such a vast and immersive novel at all. I finished it on 10/13/24, and it took me until now to put some thoughts together. JWQS took up much of my time, emotional capacity, and brain space. Now that it's over, I'm left with a void. I believe other readers will feel this lasting impact as well.
I want to make sure I give props to the translation at the very start of this review because it was so well done. The translator, Melts, did a phenomenal job. Compared to a few other Chinese-to-English translators I've read works from, Melts is far superior. I can't sing enough praise. Every single translator note in JWQS was well thought out and informative. I am happy Melts is involved in the official English publications of this book. The excellent translation definitely added to my overall appreciation for the novel.
Scuttlebutt is JWQS will be made into seven print copies over the next few years. That's right, SEVEN! If I were to write seven individual reviews and give seven different ratings, there might be some variety. But since I must rate this entire novel in one go, I'm giving it a strong five!
I think Gu Rolan's reflection on Qi Yan and Nangong Jingnu's relationship summarized the entire story perfectly: "She truly could not imagine how two people who were barred by the grudge between kingdoms and hatred between families, and who were both women at that... Just how much courage and capacity they had to bring out, and how much misery and obstructions they had to fight against to walk to such a point today."
JWQS made me laugh, made me cry, made me happy, and made me angry. But most importantly, it made me addicted to reading! Sometimes, I didn't pick up the novel for days. JWQS is a perfect example of why I try to have two or three books that I'm reading at a time. I rushed through the first 50 chapters, took a break for a few weeks, ran through 50 or so more, and took another break. I followed a similar pattern until the breaks got shorter, and eventually, I couldn't even put the novel down to sleep at night. By the end, this story had almost taken over my life!
I didn't want to compare this novel to FGEP, but I can't help it. PDL describes the difference between the two novels in one of the author's notes. I visited that note often to keep myself immersed in JWQS and not reminiscing about FGEP. I read JWQS after FGEP because the internet consensus is that it is the best of PDL's novels. I don't know if I agree with that. They are both excellent novels but different in story, direction and even style. However, FGEP is still at the top for me. It took longer to connect with the characters in JWQS than in FGEP. Also, I never fell in love with the characters in JWQS. I was (and still am) in love with Lin Wanyue very early in FGEP. FGEP has much more action than JWQS, which has more political intrigue. FGEP was significantly shorter in length than JWQS. However, they are both brutally slow burns! The slow burn of the novels requires patience and dedication to the characters, but it is always worth it.
All that isn't to say I didn't connect with the characters of JWQS. I think anyone who reads this novel will! As PDL said in an author note, "A large batch of friends will be lost once the next story begins." The characters in JWQS grow on you throughout the novel, making you feel almost like they are your dear friends. This quote from the novel almost describes the feeling of connection with the characters you develop as a reader: "In this world, there was no one who understood her more than Qi Yan. And as for what Qi Yan thought, what Qi Yan wanted, and even the tragedy in her heart, there was no one who could sense it more personally than Nangong Jingnu." You will know almost every little thing about Qi Yan and Nangong Jingnu.
I have some final thoughts about PDL novels that I want to share now that I'm already started on my third one. To enjoy PDL novels, you have to: 1) LOVE ANGST! Angst is how I would describe PDL if only one word is allowed. Angst. Angst. Angst. 2) Spend a lot of time reading, and I mean a lot. 3) Understand that not a lot will happen, but you will eventually realize that a lot has indeed happened. 4) learn so much about the characters, sometimes too much. 5) Be willing to feel utterly empty at the novel's end.
FGEP was my first time reading a web novel! It read like a series instead of one book. It was great to be in the FGEP world for so long, like when you find a multi-book series you stick with for a while. 
I adore badass females, and Wanyue is the perfect badass female for a novel. I longed to read anything about Wanyue. The other lead was interesting enough, but I found myself just waiting for Wanyue to come back into the text. I felt pity for the loss and manipulation Wanyue endured. I felt proud of all Wanyue accomplished despite being a woman in a man’s world. And I was consistently awed by Wanyue’s strength and determination to overcome all the obstacles. Okay, yes, I probably have a crush on the female general.
The novel was one of the slowest burns I’ve ever encountered. But I did enjoy it! There was politics, espionage, war, and love, all in one story. But the love took its time to grow, which I liked. Nothing felt rushed or unrealistic on that front.
I raced through most of the novel, squeezing in some reading time whenever possible. I did get slightly bored occasionally. Maybe it was because of the length. Perhaps it was because some of the palace politics confused me. Or it was because the battle scenes got a little repetitive. The story pulled me back every time, though! l would go to another book for a few days, but then I would miss Wanyue. Soon, I would dive right back in to visit that fantastic female general.
Having author notes was new for me. Seeing the author’s thoughts immediately after writing a chapter was like a glimpse behind the curtain! The notes didn’t provide story context; they were just interesting, that is all. Some of my favorite text of the novel was actually found in author note sections. My favorite being: “Care and love does not need extra words. You don’t need to say how much you love me because I have my own senses . . . Even if I never hear I love you for my whole life, but as long as one day, I’m old, and you’re still here, that’s enough.”
This novel also had extra “bonus” chapters after the story ended. For MDZS, it felt like these chapters were a way for the author to address fan complaints. FGEP wasn’t like that! The extras did not feel forced or out of character as they did in MDZS. They were more like another peek into the mind of the author. The chapters were the author's ideas that didn’t exactly fit into the story. The author even wrote about the extras, saying that the story of the general and princess had already ended and that the author was happy with the ending even if fans were not; the extras were not part of that story, but something different the author wanted to share.
I thought the authorized English fan translation flowed really well. Honestly, it read fifty times better than the published MDZS translations; props to the translation team!
Chinese sapphic historical fiction is now a winning genre in my book! Get it? My book? I must find more of this genre now.
It feels like this was the longest book I ever read. Although, maybe it’s just the online format that made it feel that way. Also, is this the longest review I’ve ever written?