Author: Meng Xi Shi
Genres: Danmei
Published: August 22, 2023
Pages: 384
Format read: Paperback
Triggers: Violence, Blood, Death, Child Death, Murder, Cannibalism, Stalking, Rape, Sexual Assault
Quick Thoughts: I am just gobbling these up! I love them so much!
This book was self purchased.
All reviews are entirely honest and my own opinion.
Rating:
Characters:
Plot:
Spice:
As emperors, generals, and kings vie for dominance, martial sects mount bloody clashes to determine who will influence the nations’ leaders. Fallen and humbled, former sect leader Shen Qiao searches for direction in a tumultuous world. He finds an unlikely companion in the nefarious Yan Wushi.
The roguish and powerful demonic practitioner has helped Shen Qiao begin to rebuild his lost martial abilities. As the two travel and work together, the gentle Daoist master dares to imagine that the famed Demon Lord is warming to him. But all is not as it seems, and old treacheries draw fresh blood. As Shen Qiao confronts dangerous new enemies, the struggle for control of the Central Plains ignites!
I did not expect to love a series with basically no smut this much. Or a genre which is not smut-heavy at all. But Thousand Autumns has me completely addicted to danmei books and I am fully planning on reading even more series of this genre.
My A-Qiao is the cutest.
This volume slowly builds up to the grand battle, which was absolutely wonderfully done. Shen Qiao is such an amazing character, he’s so sweet and absolutely lovely. And Yu Wushi. OH! My Yu Wushi can sweep me away any day. There just is something about morally grey characters that have my heart. He is so deliciously arrogant, but has his own faults as well. Shen Qiao also has his faults, mainly being too naive and a little guillable. I like that they didn’t make him a mary-sue type character. I love them so much!
Slowly but surely a romantic connection (or maybe just friendship, but I ship them like crazy) is developing between our two main characters. You can just feel their opinion of each other shifting. Sadly, this is not always in a positive light, but gods am I here for it! There is betrayal, action, suspense and all of the good things, wrapped up in a very LGTBQ+ flavoured story. Yes please!
Yan Wushi still tries to act cold and disinterested in Shen Qiao. But we all know better than that! It is not stated with so many words, but it is a very obvious vibe hanging between the lines.
And then I have not even started about the side characters in this amazing series, but especially in this book. Even if they are only present for a few chapters, they have plenty of personality to make them interesting. Some even made a lasting impact, having me remember them far into the story. What I love most about this book and its side characters is that they are not forgotten once they are off the pages; there are call backs to them quite regularly, giving them a sense of depth that most other books miss.
There is just one issue I have with these books; The fact that it ends at a very weird spot. These books, or danmei in general, have a tendency to do this quite often. By now I also know why this is the case: These books are published by chapter in a Chinese magazine. That explains so much! I am happy they collected all of the chapters and brought us the joy of Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi. Maybe it would be a little bit better if they paid a little more attention to where the story is stopping, but since there are plenty of volumes (and I can very easily binge read them) it isn’t a big problem. At least, it is not a big turn off for me.
Another thing some people might find a little issue is the complexity of these books. There are a lot of terms, names and customs that are mentioned. In the back of the book there is a master list with all the information. I don’t mind this so much, simply because I also love reading fantasy and this genre has the same issue. But I can 100% understand why it would be a reason people struggle with this book.
For the ideals I pursue within my heart, I’d not regret a thousand deaths to die.
This book has left me in absolute shambles. It is an emotional rollercoaster, but that is probably simply because I am so invested in this. I simply need more of this story, as I feel it is nowhere finished yet.
Good bits
Bad bits
- It’s a series!
- There is a lovely character development
- I ship Yan Wushi and Shen Qiao so much it hurts
- So much worldbuilding!
- Amazing side characters with some depth
- The main characters actually have relationships outside of the main pair
- A little complex with the names, customs, terms and the world.
- Ends at a weird point, without it feeling like a cliff-hanger
That all being said, I am so in love with this series! I am definitely going to read all of the other volumes and review them. If you’re an MM fan with a love for fantasy and all things anime, then this is the series for you! It is definitely a very specific taste. But gods, do I love it!