#quick review

[miss0atae]

Today I've finished two books. I spent too many hours stuck in the train because of the maintenance of way operations they are always doing during summer time. So, I had plenty of time to read books.

First, I finished "After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine" volume 3 by Liu Gou Hua. I have to admit I was really looking for this next volume. There is something about the writing or the characters that I find charming. The balance between the political schemes and the romance between the main characters is really good. Sometimes, in danmei the political part of the books can be heavy and not easy to follow. It can also be confusing and/or boring. However, in this series, I think it's just the right amount to give yourself something to look at while allowing the characters to have witty conversation and cute moments too. Minister Pang may have thought he had the upper hand, but in the hand his schemes only allowed Jiang Suizhou and Huo Wujiu to finally admit their mutual love and start being together. I was more than happy to see it. Now that Jiang Suizhou has admitted the world history has changed for good, he is ready to give himself a chance, but also to work towards a happy ending for the nation, but also for his own personal life. I can't wait for the last volume to finally conclude the story.

The second book I read is a light novel called "Pure Light" by Violette Banks. Unfortunately this book is probably only in French. I chose it by chance at a book fair. I admit I only chose it because the summary on the back cover was talking about Thai BL and I was intrigued to see what was going to happen. It's a basic romance story between an English-Thai actor who after a fight that made him lose professional opportunities and contracts, ends up being the lead of a Y series alongside an unknown actor who only wanted this job to pay his studies. I didn't that writer, but I guess she is also someone who watches BL series. Even if the book is a light romance story, you can see that she tried her best to discuss the job and requirements of a Thai actors who play in BL series. She also wanted to add a few cultural aspect about Thailand and to talk about LGBTQ+ issues. It's really a slow burn. It was a nice read. Also, the light novel version had a new bonus chapter to include something about the Marriage Equality Act,

Now, I'm probably going to start reading the second volume of "Mistakenly Saving the Villain".

[miss0atae]

Another day, another book that I recently finished. Today it's Silent Reading by Priest volume 1.

Firstly, you have to know that thriller isn't really my favorite genre of book. I have no problem watching a thriller series or movie, but I just can't really get into a thriller when it's a book. I don't know why. It's just more complicated to get into the story. Probably the reason is, I prefer fantasy-setting over anything else. I read to escape and thrillers don't give me the same sense of escapism as fantasy. However, horror stories do and I have no real reason to offer. 😅

Now that it is said, I still wanted to read this one because a good friend of mine insisted I should read it. I have finally understood that they like Priest so I felt compelled to read it just to see why this friend was raving about this story. .

To be really clear, the investigation wasn't my favorite part. It was okay, but I was only waiting for the conclusion. All the twists and turns, the obstacles, the dead end or the schemes of the murderer didn't really catch my attention. I only liked the part with the mother of the victim. I felt really empathetic towards her.

No, the real beauty of the book are the characters. I wouldn't say it's a character-driven book, but it felt like it for me. I fell in love with Fei Du. Everything about this character fascinated me: his past, his mannerism, his cleverness and the way he can morph himself to be exactly what people expect him while also having moments of him being truly him. I haven't read the other volumes, but I bet that his past and family story are going to play a huge part in his personal journey.

On the other side we have Luo Wenzhou... And I think I will need more than one volume to warm up to him. There is something about him that annoyed me and I can't really explain why. However, the relationship he has with Fei Du in this first volume is a delight. Their usual digs that sometimes let them have more profound conversations are one of the best parts of the books.

I also appreciated Tao Ran a lot. He really is this paternal/brotherly figure for Fei Fu. He usually acts as the voice of reason when Fei Du and Luo Wenzhou start bugging each other. He makes a real contrast between them. I admire his patience.

So far, it was a good read. I wouldn't say that it's going to be my favorite danmei, but it was good enough to make me want to read the next volume.

[eucheon]

Home from seeing The Odyssey, man I fuck with this movie. I had a great time watching it, the acting was top notch, you really felt the emotions they were conveying, and the action scenes were all thrilling, especially that 3rd Act. I highly recommend checking it out when you can

[luciethevampire]

Minion yaoi🥹

[miss0atae]

I'm always amazed by the writing of the dialogues in A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream. I especially like the conversation between Qing Lang and Chang Yang. It was interesting to see a father in a Chinese BL that isn't against his son being with a man, but who understands the bigger picture. He knows that his son dating a celebrity is more a problem than his sexuality. It's true that the biggest obstacle between Qing Lang and Chang Yang's happiness is public scrutiny and media pressure, as well as Qing Lang's ex CP partner.

In fact, episode 10 was really about the influence public and media can have on artists' life. It explores the para-social bond that fans can have with their favorite artist through Chang Yang's sister. She is a fan of Qing Lang, but upon learning that her brother is dating him, she wasn't trilled. Instead of being happy for them, she was mostly mourning the fantasies she had about his previous CP and thus endangered the secret of her brother's relationship with her favorite artist. She also has the bad habit of telling all her thoughts online without really thinking, which is telling that some people also have a bad relationship with social media.

This issue was also highlighted with the second couple. Their situation reminded me of the fall out we got with both actors from Top Form, even if this time in the series the second couple has a positive outcome. When two actors become a CP, but they are from a different agency/company, it makes everything more complicated. Hao Yu wants to keep working with Han Lu, partly because he also have feelings for him. However, their companies aren't on the same page. Han Lu and Hao Yu aren't being very careful when showing public display of affection and their kiss get recorded (because people now need to record everything I guess). Han Lu's boss used this as a way to ensure another collaboration. It seems like a victory, but it has a bitter taste. Something that is genuine, is used as if it was part of work. I don't know what consequences it is going to have for them.

As for Qing Lang, he is thorn between protecting this relationship he has with Chang Yang and the pressure of hiding it. I feel like a second break up is going to happen between them. Qing Lang's ex CP partner is using their relationship as a leverage and Qing Lang is also starting to be afraid that he is preventing Chang Yang from pursuing his dreams. I wish they talk about this issue together. I believe they can make everything work when they work together. When it comes to feelings, sometimes we can also make bad choices thinking that we're protecting the one we love. Qing Lang is only human and these mistakes make him feel more real.

As always, it's a great episode and I can't wait for the next one.

[miss0atae]

Everything was so amazing for me in The Edge of Horizon episode 4. I was stressed twice, but in the end everything turned out for the best. I cannot wait to edit all the thousands of screenshots I made for this episode.

I just wanted to react quickly to this episode in this post. Siri is just a perfect cinnamon that needs to get away from a life that doesn't fulfill her. I love whatever is starting to happen between her and Jan. Thin with his teary eyes has missed his lover for so long and he can't really stop himself from falling for him once again. Phob never forgot about him and he is so giddy about rekindling with him. Politics and family are trying to get in between and yet their love matters the most. It is as if those 11 years have changed nothing.

I can't wait for the next episode. I love this series so much.

[miss0atae]

This episode was such a rollercoaster of emotions when I think about what Xiao Fan was dealing with. I know people are annoyed with this character because they see him as a pushover, but I would say that it's his vulnerability that makes him interesting. He is not confident, he has a gentle demeanor and he seems to be devoted to Lu Qing. In this episode he was once again mocked, ridiculed and the return of Lu Qing's sweetheart made him feel a sense of despair. He tried once to affirm himself, but everyone around him reminds him to know his place. He doesn't have the right to be greedy and it hurts. Now, he can't even stay at Lu Qinq's place... I don't know I feel sad for him. Even when he tried to muster a little courage to ask for more (offering a gift to Lu Qing, giving him food, trying to keep up with his occupations)... He was emotionally and repeatedly crushed. The light that was Lu Qing is taken away from him, leaving him once again in the dark tunnel that is his life. I'm so curious about how he will bounce back... Will he be able to do it?

[miss0atae]

I finally had the time to watch the episode 6 and the episode 7 of A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills' Dream. In a way, I'm glad I watched these two in a row because the "break up" part wasn't too long and they were once again together in the next episode. This series is so unique. I especially like the cinematography. The colors are so vivid and the lights play an important role in emphasizing some key parts of the story. It's so beautiful. Obviously, the actors are great. I just feel a bit disconnected with the two other actors. Their story feels like a flat symbol in the music sheet of the story. It's not bad, it just changes the tune. Also, I'm obsessed with the ending song. I could listen to it on repeat. I don't liveblog about it because I was so late at catching up with it, but I definitely enjoy it.