fall & rise
Feb. 12th, 2021 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ailietWary of the angst warning, I procrastinated in even starting Thousand Autumns, but by the time the knives came out, I was so engrossed that they only made it more compelling. The story follows Shen Qiao, the leader of a Daoist sect, who has the dubious fortune of being picked up by a renowned demonic cultivator after a duel sends him crashing down to earth. It's very much an unstoppable force meets immoveable object type of situation, though which is who may be up for debate.
Meng Xi Shi's novels tend to follow a pattern with me, which is that I find them slow to get into and then hard to put down. Their works always feel very fleshed out, as if the adventure you’re reading is only one of a thousand that have happened and are happening all the time. Case in point, this bit:
I would read an entire novel about Lady Qin.
In the same vein, the ML, Yan Wushi, definitely has A Backstory, but it's never explicitly addressed in the main story or used as an excuse for his behaviour. It's simply there in the background, working with all the other details to create a world.
Meng Xi Shi's novels tend to follow a pattern with me, which is that I find them slow to get into and then hard to put down. Their works always feel very fleshed out, as if the adventure you’re reading is only one of a thousand that have happened and are happening all the time. Case in point, this bit:
Duan Wenyang lamented, “Speaking of it, I should have addressed you as my senior martial sister. Unfortunately, Master has already driven you out after you escaped Tujue with his ring. I heard that in those days, Master cared a great deal about you that he even intended to pass his mantle to you. Lady Qin first enticed Master with your beauty, then stole his ring and left. Thinking back on it today, don’t you feel guilty for what you’ve done?”
“Shut up!” Hearing him insult their mother, the Su brothers were naturally exasperated.
Yet Lady Qin only replied with a sarcastic smile, “Since when did a junior like you have a say in the history between me and Hulugu?! Does Tujue lack so much talent that Hulugu had to take in disciples like you who can only fight with their mouths?”
She said to Su Wei, “Bring me your brother’s sword!”
I would read an entire novel about Lady Qin.
In the same vein, the ML, Yan Wushi, definitely has A Backstory, but it's never explicitly addressed in the main story or used as an excuse for his behaviour. It's simply there in the background, working with all the other details to create a world.
