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r1vana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide
akari137336's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Death, and Violence
Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, and Murder
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed this book and I think the translation is pretty well done, all things considered. It is cool to get the full story after watching the show adaptation, and I'm excited to read the rest of them!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: War
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
2.0
In 2021 North American publisher Seven Seas announced licensing for English publication multiple novel series by Chinese author Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù (MXTX). My initial reaction to this was both excited and a little uneasy. The latter because it marked the launching of an entirely new venture. The first time this publisher would be bringing over any kind of such works at all. Anyone therefore might expect challenges and minor setbacks. Let alone added tests due to acquiring one of the author’s juggernauts the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mó Dào Zǔ Shī (MDZS). Then too I felt a bit of apprehension because of previous history (only in 2020 and updated editorial policies also leading to other plans for re-editing ) involving certain Japanese light novels Seven Seas does have more experience publishing. These concerns felt small in the face of such a big announcement though. I at least put The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation on my wishlist. When December of 2021 came, the first English volume release was the biggest debut in Seven Seas’s history and to bestseller status. I among the hundreds of thousands of readers fortunately did get it as a gift.
These concerns felt small in the face of such a big announcement though. I at least put The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation on my wishlist. When December of 2021 came, the first English volume release was the biggest debut in Seven Seas’s history and to bestseller status. I among the hundreds of thousands of readers fortunately did get it as a gift.
Unfortunately, my early fears seem to have some foundation. First try as I might, I could not help stopping to reread passages frequently. Pause for the wrong reasons at parts of the supplementary materials to aid readers when it comes to communication, context, and culture. Distractively thinking about publishing, translation theory and certain discourse while at it. To the point my eyes hurt, setting the book down time and again. Not exactly the experience I was expecting or hoping for. Nor an experience that paralleled those whom I previously knew talked of and praised MXTX over the years.
Unfortunately, my early fears seem to have some foundation. First try as I might, I could not help stopping to reread passages frequently. Pause for the wrong reasons at parts of the supplementary materials to aid readers when it comes to communication, context, and culture. Distractively thinking about publishing, translation theory and certain discourse while at it. To the point my eyes hurt, setting the book down time and again. Not exactly the experience I was expecting or hoping for. Nor an experience that paralleled those whom I previously knew talked of and praised MXTX over the years.
A couple of months later, in the middle of my still mulling the English edition over, came the publisher Seven Seas addressing growing rumblings regarding proofreading to mistranslation errors. Members of the localisation team previously expressing also regrets and dedication. Thinking back, it was something of a feat that this edition of MDZS arrived when it did. However, I wonder at what cost. These issues do still cause one to wonder exactly about internal goings-on at Seven Seas. Immense workloads and crunched timelines are a recipe for… exactly this trouble. Revising the book naturally should also take some time.
More months passing of course. The promised errata listed on the publisher’s danmei novel website still reflecting only a small number of concerns. A An updated version of the first English volume with an August 2022 third edition copyright set in print. Likewise, the updated eBook at some nearer point available too. I would stress readers and those interested in the English edition to exercise a lot of patience, in all matters. Although it is the handling of this series in English that moved me from my usual discreet stance when it comes to danmei. Sad and frustrating that sharing a review that represents the most words I have ever said about MDZS, apologetically probably says more about its North American publisher Seven Seas.
So, if one has not done already, especially first try a sample. Then my recommendation is to purchase the books digitally if able, which are more easily updated and can be redownloaded. (Available in Canada, Germany, France, Great Brittan, Ireland, Italy, Philippines, US, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden & Finland). Otherwise delaying more costly print purchases until a later date. Moreover, considering even then, this translation may just not work or be trying to work for you.
More months passing of course. The promised errata listed on the publisher’s danmei novel website still reflecting only a small number of concerns. A An updated version of the first English volume with an August 2022 third edition copyright set in print. Likewise, the updated eBook at some nearer point available too. I would stress readers and those interested in the English edition to exercise a lot of patience, in all matters. Although it is the handling of this series in English that moved me from my usual discreet stance when it comes to danmei. Sad and frustrating that sharing a review that represents the most words I have ever said about MDZS, apologetically probably says more about its North American publisher Seven Seas.
So, if one has not done already, especially first try a sample. Then my recommendation is to purchase the books digitally if able, which are more easily updated and can be redownloaded. (Available in Canada, Germany, France, Great Brittan, Ireland, Italy, Philippines, US, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden & Finland). Otherwise delaying more costly print purchases until a later date. Moreover, considering even then, this translation may just not work or be trying to work for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
samugranjo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
atlanticgiantpumpkin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I read this book in four days cause my crush really wanted me to read this, and even though my crush is in vain I persevered, though this book made it so enjoyable. I haven’t read a book that fast since high school (Divergent of all things). This was very enjoyable, and while slow burn really gets to me because for the love of god y’all need to kiss already, I sqeed like a fan girl when the little tidbits of romance DID pop up. I’m still mixing up characters because so many people have the same surname, but I’m getting there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Outing, and Sexual harassment
Any homophobia and abuse is short lived.smg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Suicide
tealcalm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
calyxworld's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a witty, light-hearted, romantic romp, with decidedly dark undertones. The determinedly upbeat main character, Wei Wuxian, means that you rarely focus in depth on the heavier subject materials, and as a result the implications are often more chilling. The somewhat non-chronological story-telling allows the world-building to be filled in as the plot rattles along, and both the world and the characters feel extremely realised. Waiting excitedly for volume two!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia and Alcohol
There are some heavy topics, but generally glossed over to a degree, as the main character does not want to dwell on them. I will be adding the appropriate content warnings for each volume, as opposed to for the book in full - as a result there are some that are not present now, but will be in the reviews for each individual volume.sydneymunkey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
Minor: Body horror and Pedophilia