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七爷
七爷 [Qī Yé]
南登霸陵岸，回首望长安。
国家衰亡，大厦将倾，靡靡之音伴着末世纷乱，局中人具不知谁舍谁收。
当一肚子弯弯绕的腹黑遇上一条路走到黑的死心眼，看谁固执得过谁
国家衰亡，大厦将倾，靡靡之音伴着末世纷乱，局中人具不知谁舍谁收。
当一肚子弯弯绕的腹黑遇上一条路走到黑的死心眼，看谁固执得过谁
850 pages, Webnovel
First published June 13, 2010
175 people are currently reading
2,032 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
May 28, 2022
??????*Too Heavy*??????
This wasn't the best choice to get back into the reading world. It was heavy as fuck and I don't know if it's the translation or the writing itself but I was confused as fuck all the time. I also could not connect with the characters at all. There was toooooooo much politics and I stupidly thought the "romance" was gonna be between Jing Qi and Helian Yi, and not Jing Qi and Wu Xi. So when I was reading, all I kept thinking of was why there was barely any interaction between Jing Qi and Helian Yi, why it felt like Jing Qi hated the Crown Prince, and it wasn't until Wu Xi had that dream that I understood that something wasn't adding up in my head. It got a little better after that, but I still ended up skimming more and more. It was just too heavy. The reason why I started this was because of a tumblr post and I was like, yes, this seems like something I'd love as I loved Word of Honor. However, watching and reading these kinds of stories are very different. Very. Overall, not the most successful comebacks for me, that's for sure. Took AGES to finish.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Historical Romance (M/M).
Series: - Standalone.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Jing Qi .
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Not really.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
New Rating - 2 stars.
April 30, 2021
In all honesty 2021 has been a dry spell for me when it comes to books. Nothing managed to put me back on track for a successful reading and only a very few (that could be literally counted by the fingers on one hand) managed to get me fully sucked into their stories. This is not my first Priest book, I picked it up randomly because I finished Faraway Wanders and someone told me the translations on this one was good. Yes. I picked up a book because of the quality of translation. Now just imagine what sort of a slump I’m in. Putting that aside, I still started it. Without much anticipation. Priest’s books are generally good and can take you on a whirlwind. Everything is paced so well in her books. And the characters generally have depth not found in Web-novels generally. It’s quite obvious that she doesn’t just start writing and add as she goes. She really knows the end and beginning of her characters.
Truly. She proved herself with this.
Yes I was one of those very few who weren’t blown away by Faraway Wanders. It was good but not as amazing as I thought it would be. And my sorry ass didn’t even finish the TV adaptation. Yes please spike my head and lay it the public to throw rotten tomatoes at. Me. The self-acclaimed fujoshi, didn’t finish Word of Honor. The biggest historical danmei of 2021.
Dramatics aside I would like to point out the best parts of the story which sets it apart from the rest. The character development. Unlike other books of her that I’ve read we start the journey when all the characters are somewhat younger. We are taken in the journey as they grow together, plot together, as sasi are together and ultimately win together. There are many times the slight tip toe of sorrow enters your heart as there are many places where things that should not have happened, happens in the end. Death is a constant side character in the plot. Rearing its head constantly. Sometimes you think it’s deserved but most of the time you wish it did not happen so. I won’t spoil the story but death is inevitable in this mad yet bloody journey for throne.
The plot is so well paced you do not feel even the slightest dip in it. It flows like the clear waters of the River of Forgetfulness, in the end you only want to drink a sip from MengPo so you could read the novel afresh all over again.
Another factor that might have been critical for me to love this book the most was the romance. It was never the core of it, never the driving force and that really made the story beautiful. Of course I loved seeing Wu Xi appear with his direct confessions and blunt thoughts. Whenever the little toxin was saddened I wanted to crawl in the book and slap the other silly, yet their love story which spans over a decade made everything seem realistic. Not even Jing Qi didn’t know when he fell in love with the other and just like us, in the end we couldn’t want to but give our whole lives for him. The ending was cute. LuTa you have a lot to learn from your teacher.
One of the main questions that kept trodding in my mind while reading this was, does this need a tv adaptation? I would love to see this brought to life but also I know there will be many restrictions which will ultimately won’t allow the book to wonderfully transcend to the screen. Maybe Taiwan can pick it up and give this story a good shake.
In conclusion the primary thought that wheedled its way in was that I could finally understand why Zhou Zhishou chose to leave Helian Yi. All of his friends left, there was nothing but misery while staying nest to him. There never was anything for him there after all. It just took him longer to understand. Not even all of the tea of MengPo can wash away their sins.
Truly. She proved herself with this.
Yes I was one of those very few who weren’t blown away by Faraway Wanders. It was good but not as amazing as I thought it would be. And my sorry ass didn’t even finish the TV adaptation. Yes please spike my head and lay it the public to throw rotten tomatoes at. Me. The self-acclaimed fujoshi, didn’t finish Word of Honor. The biggest historical danmei of 2021.
Dramatics aside I would like to point out the best parts of the story which sets it apart from the rest. The character development. Unlike other books of her that I’ve read we start the journey when all the characters are somewhat younger. We are taken in the journey as they grow together, plot together, as sasi are together and ultimately win together. There are many times the slight tip toe of sorrow enters your heart as there are many places where things that should not have happened, happens in the end. Death is a constant side character in the plot. Rearing its head constantly. Sometimes you think it’s deserved but most of the time you wish it did not happen so. I won’t spoil the story but death is inevitable in this mad yet bloody journey for throne.
The plot is so well paced you do not feel even the slightest dip in it. It flows like the clear waters of the River of Forgetfulness, in the end you only want to drink a sip from MengPo so you could read the novel afresh all over again.
Another factor that might have been critical for me to love this book the most was the romance. It was never the core of it, never the driving force and that really made the story beautiful. Of course I loved seeing Wu Xi appear with his direct confessions and blunt thoughts. Whenever the little toxin was saddened I wanted to crawl in the book and slap the other silly, yet their love story which spans over a decade made everything seem realistic. Not even Jing Qi didn’t know when he fell in love with the other and just like us, in the end we couldn’t want to but give our whole lives for him. The ending was cute. LuTa you have a lot to learn from your teacher.
One of the main questions that kept trodding in my mind while reading this was, does this need a tv adaptation? I would love to see this brought to life but also I know there will be many restrictions which will ultimately won’t allow the book to wonderfully transcend to the screen. Maybe Taiwan can pick it up and give this story a good shake.
In conclusion the primary thought that wheedled its way in was that I could finally understand why Zhou Zhishou chose to leave Helian Yi. All of his friends left, there was nothing but misery while staying nest to him. There never was anything for him there after all. It just took him longer to understand. Not even all of the tea of MengPo can wash away their sins.
May 25, 2021
”In this life, you will be the only one in my heart. In the next life, and the life after that, i will forever remember you, so long as my soul hasn’t scattered”
The romance is everything aaahhhh… i close this book with the biggest smile on my face, Wuxi my sweet blunt poisonous toxin Shaman is the cutest!! i also love Jing Qi equally and really love to see how these 2 main characters grew through the story
This is my 1st Priest book, after being really love “Word Of Honor” cdrama (which is the adaptation from Tian Ya Ke / Faraway Wanderers written by Priest), i’m super curious to read her books and even tho Qiye is one of her early work i can see how talented author she is!! i’m super impressed
My only criticism to this book is the Political/Court intrigue story is hard for me grasp, idk maybe it’s because the translator or the writing style that used alot of ancient Chinese literature and poems or maybe because there are alot of side characters in this book and i don’t really care about them because they didn’t get alot of character development, idk… i just really couldn’t connect with the political intrigue story
I will definetly read more books from Priest in the future while wishing Qiye (Lord Seventh) will someday get it’s live action adaptation
The romance is everything aaahhhh… i close this book with the biggest smile on my face, Wuxi my sweet blunt poisonous toxin Shaman is the cutest!! i also love Jing Qi equally and really love to see how these 2 main characters grew through the story
This is my 1st Priest book, after being really love “Word Of Honor” cdrama (which is the adaptation from Tian Ya Ke / Faraway Wanderers written by Priest), i’m super curious to read her books and even tho Qiye is one of her early work i can see how talented author she is!! i’m super impressed
My only criticism to this book is the Political/Court intrigue story is hard for me grasp, idk maybe it’s because the translator or the writing style that used alot of ancient Chinese literature and poems or maybe because there are alot of side characters in this book and i don’t really care about them because they didn’t get alot of character development, idk… i just really couldn’t connect with the political intrigue story
I will definetly read more books from Priest in the future while wishing Qiye (Lord Seventh) will someday get it’s live action adaptation
April 14, 2021
The romance was fun and I would d*e for Wu Xi ? there's just something in priest's writing that just doesn't click with me enough to give 5 stars to this book either but I did love the characters a lot (I'm jumping into tyk right away for more zzs)
November 20, 2021
Wow this was something!!!!! The whole idea of reincarnation and Jing Qi returning to his love again was fascinating but what happened in his seventh life was even more interesting. There were moments where I couldn’t figure out where the story was going, but the author managed to bring all the threads together perfectly.
The romance is really like a story of legends and an intense slow burn full of yearning, and I loved how the two MCs ended up together. That last 5-10% of the book is especially spectacular and I had tears in my eyes when I closed it. All the characters are really compelling, most of them wearing masks (literally or figuratively) to conceal their true thoughts from others and it was quite a task to understand their motivations. But ultimately my favorite was Wu Xi who had such an open and honest heart, and it was absolutely refreshing in a book of full of court intrigue, back room dealings, twists and turns and betrayals.
It took me quite a while to read this book because while the translation was very good, it just wasn’t the binge read kinda book. However, I really enjoyed it and the idea that I should read more novels by Priest is cemented in my head. In the meantime, I’m just waiting for the episode in Word of Honor where Lord Seventh will show up and I can’t wait to see his interactions with the amazing Zhou ZiShu.
The romance is really like a story of legends and an intense slow burn full of yearning, and I loved how the two MCs ended up together. That last 5-10% of the book is especially spectacular and I had tears in my eyes when I closed it. All the characters are really compelling, most of them wearing masks (literally or figuratively) to conceal their true thoughts from others and it was quite a task to understand their motivations. But ultimately my favorite was Wu Xi who had such an open and honest heart, and it was absolutely refreshing in a book of full of court intrigue, back room dealings, twists and turns and betrayals.
It took me quite a while to read this book because while the translation was very good, it just wasn’t the binge read kinda book. However, I really enjoyed it and the idea that I should read more novels by Priest is cemented in my head. In the meantime, I’m just waiting for the episode in Word of Honor where Lord Seventh will show up and I can’t wait to see his interactions with the amazing Zhou ZiShu.
May 18, 2024
4.5 ??
Priest is my new obsession. After a lukewarm experience from reading Faraway Wanderers, I'm happy to report I adored Qiye. It has all the elements of danmei I enjoy- heavy handed politics, reincarnation, soulmates, poison cultivator, a friendly viper as pet and a clever protagonist.
“I wish to have one person’s heart, never separating even when our hairs turn white…”
Priest is my new obsession. After a lukewarm experience from reading Faraway Wanderers, I'm happy to report I adored Qiye. It has all the elements of danmei I enjoy- heavy handed politics, reincarnation, soulmates, poison cultivator, a friendly viper as pet and a clever protagonist.
“I wish to have one person’s heart, never separating even when our hairs turn white…”
December 23, 2024
I am shocked at how much I loved this I book since I am one of the few that didn’t *gush* over Faraway Wanderers (still really liked it). Absolutely adored Jing Qi and the little toxin, Wu Xi ?. I am not sure which story Priest wrote first but I watched Word of Honor, read Faraway Wanderers and then read Lord Seventh.
??Historical fiction
??Politics, war, death
??Pining/unrequited love
??Incredible character development
??Romance (my favorite part of this book!) but per usual with Priest, off-screen/fade to black ??
*Priest’s humor just always hits perfectly for me, especially in her novels that might be a little more melancholy
I’m sure most people already know this is the prequel to Faraway Wanderers but I’m curious what the recommended reading order is. I usually prefer publication order but I was introduced to FW/WoH first not even knowing about Lord Seventh. Having Zhou Zushi in this novel was just icing on the cake IMO and now I want to rewatch WoH and reread Faraway Wanderers??
The translation I read was so well done with a lot of references and links to help with understanding the Chinese history/mythology/folklore
“In this life, you will be the only one in my heart. In the next life, and the life after that, I will forever remember you, so long as my soul hasn’t scattered.”
??Historical fiction
??Politics, war, death
??Pining/unrequited love
??Incredible character development
??Romance (my favorite part of this book!) but per usual with Priest, off-screen/fade to black ??
*Priest’s humor just always hits perfectly for me, especially in her novels that might be a little more melancholy
I’m sure most people already know this is the prequel to Faraway Wanderers but I’m curious what the recommended reading order is. I usually prefer publication order but I was introduced to FW/WoH first not even knowing about Lord Seventh. Having Zhou Zushi in this novel was just icing on the cake IMO and now I want to rewatch WoH and reread Faraway Wanderers??
The translation I read was so well done with a lot of references and links to help with understanding the Chinese history/mythology/folklore
“In this life, you will be the only one in my heart. In the next life, and the life after that, I will forever remember you, so long as my soul hasn’t scattered.”
May 24, 2021
I couldn't follow the political plot too well but I loved Jing Qi and Wu Xi's interactions and the last 100 oages especially were intense. I loved this.
April 30, 2023
4.25* Me being me, of course I read it after reading the sequel (); but it might've been a smart move, because Qi Ye is more well-developed in terms of story and characters than its sequel. While Faraway Wanderers did a beautiful job with Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing (him especially), its side characters were just... there, as a background. In Qi Ye, the side characters turned out to be complex and well fleshed out, and I really cared about most of them. I actually thought ZZS would be a more memorable one among them, but it was Helian Yi who stuck in my mind more (and also the warrior princess.)
The ending was extremely satisfying. The entire novel was well thought out, the buildup to the finale was really solid. Everything made sense. The romance made sense - it wasn't there for the sake of just being there. And it didn't overshadow the plot by any means.
The ending was extremely satisfying. The entire novel was well thought out, the buildup to the finale was really solid. Everything made sense. The romance made sense - it wasn't there for the sake of just being there. And it didn't overshadow the plot by any means.
July 16, 2022
As always it’s a challenge to rate a translated book, but the translation by Chichi is excellent and I highly recommend it:
First off, if you’re reading because of 山河令/Word of Honor and are expecting the same fantasy elements as the show, you’ll be disappointed as Lord Seventh is much, much more politically-focused, even if the inciting action is Jing Qi being granted the chance to re-live one of his past lives. It’s also not a quick read despite its (relatively, for the genre) short length because of the need to keep all of the princes and the political actors straight. However, I personally found both Jing Qi and Wu Xi to be compelling characters, and the book really hits its stride once they interact more regularly with each other in the later volumes. At that point, I couldn’t put the book down.
If you are in the Word of Honor crowd, you’ll be happy to know that Zhou Zishu goes from being a minor character in the mid-early volumes to an important secondary character in the later parts. There are also a lot of nods to this book in the show, even outside of Jing Qi and Wu Xi’s appearances, and I do recommend giving it a read. I especially recommend Lord Seventh if you’re someone who had the thought while watching Word of Honor that had the story focused on Zhou Zishu just a little earlier in his life he’d actually be a villain and not a protagonist, you are correct and that’s Lord Seventh. (Though it should be said that he’s not a villain but only because of the story’s POV. With just a slight shift in perspective, both Jing Qi and Zhou Zishou become morally complicated villains, no matter how they may frame and justify their choices)
I do wish more characterization had been given to some of the minor characters (mostly to help tell them apart), and my biggest wish is that there had been some more character development for Zhou Zishu and Jing Qi post [spoiler] their involvement in the assassination that lead to the death of a four-year old, though it was interesting (chilling?) to see how they were able to rationalize and compartmentalize their choices. While that incident functioned as the apex of their moral decay as a result of their political scheming on behalf of the Crown Prince- the result as far as its impact was primarily seen through the eyes of other characters. But perhaps that was the point- it didn’t have that much of an impact on them until it effected their own relationships. Either way, that arc felt a bit rushed.
TL;DR: Came for Zhou Zishu, stayed for Wu Xi (someday I will write an essay about how he’s autistic-coded)
First off, if you’re reading because of 山河令/Word of Honor and are expecting the same fantasy elements as the show, you’ll be disappointed as Lord Seventh is much, much more politically-focused, even if the inciting action is Jing Qi being granted the chance to re-live one of his past lives. It’s also not a quick read despite its (relatively, for the genre) short length because of the need to keep all of the princes and the political actors straight. However, I personally found both Jing Qi and Wu Xi to be compelling characters, and the book really hits its stride once they interact more regularly with each other in the later volumes. At that point, I couldn’t put the book down.
If you are in the Word of Honor crowd, you’ll be happy to know that Zhou Zishu goes from being a minor character in the mid-early volumes to an important secondary character in the later parts. There are also a lot of nods to this book in the show, even outside of Jing Qi and Wu Xi’s appearances, and I do recommend giving it a read. I especially recommend Lord Seventh if you’re someone who had the thought while watching Word of Honor that had the story focused on Zhou Zishu just a little earlier in his life he’d actually be a villain and not a protagonist, you are correct and that’s Lord Seventh. (Though it should be said that he’s not a villain but only because of the story’s POV. With just a slight shift in perspective, both Jing Qi and Zhou Zishou become morally complicated villains, no matter how they may frame and justify their choices)
I do wish more characterization had been given to some of the minor characters (mostly to help tell them apart), and my biggest wish is that there had been some more character development for Zhou Zishu and Jing Qi post [spoiler] their involvement in the assassination that lead to the death of a four-year old, though it was interesting (chilling?) to see how they were able to rationalize and compartmentalize their choices. While that incident functioned as the apex of their moral decay as a result of their political scheming on behalf of the Crown Prince- the result as far as its impact was primarily seen through the eyes of other characters. But perhaps that was the point- it didn’t have that much of an impact on them until it effected their own relationships. Either way, that arc felt a bit rushed.
TL;DR: Came for Zhou Zishu, stayed for Wu Xi (someday I will write an essay about how he’s autistic-coded)
May 13, 2023
Review maybe later if I'm in the mood.
March 30, 2013
Reading this made me feel ashamed of how amateurish my own fiction is in comparison. I am astounded by how well thought out this story is...and to think, the author actually wrote this within 2 months...! Dang. At any rate...yes, a lot of things seemed a little convenient but that didn't change how intelligent and intriguing the plot was.
The MC is a very cunning, lovesick man given a horrible death sentence by the one man he loved, the man he had devoted his entire life to help become the Emperor. The two were supposed to be lovers for seven lives, but their fate was changed all because of a mistake by one of the officials of the underworld. For three thousand years the MC still loved the man and refused to give up his memories, reincarnating seven times but killed seven times by his love. Finally, when the ghost official who caused this mistake helped him reincarnate back in time, giving him a second chance to do everything over, he realized that his feelings for his love had worn out and faded, and all that was left was a sense of fatigue and hollowness. Yet, the man he loved, currently a powerless crown prince, was the only decent candidate for the throne compared to his two corrupted brothers, so for the prosperity of the MC's empire, he had no choice but to help the crown prince seize power.
It was a little sad, especially how innocents had to be sacrificed and all, how fragile relationships and trust could be, how tiring it was to plot, scheme, and act all the time just to survive. Just from looking at a fictional ancient China, I couldn't help but think how possible this all was (except the victory of the uncorrupted, that was definitely unreal). Corruption, power-struggles, and endless games of indirectness... And funny how I was suddenly reminded of how sad it was, that after 4000 years, Chinese politics remains the same. In the end, corruption poisons the government, and those cunning games are still played with chilling skill. On the surface it's all sunshine and rainbows, everyone treads carefully and acts civilly, always observing the situation to see how it serves them before deciding their next step. Beneath the surface is chilling ruthlessness, greed, and ambition. What is humanity, what is conscience, and what is trust? In the cutthroat politics of ancient China, such luxuries do not exist.
But at least there was a HEA. Well-deserved!
The MC is a very cunning, lovesick man given a horrible death sentence by the one man he loved, the man he had devoted his entire life to help become the Emperor. The two were supposed to be lovers for seven lives, but their fate was changed all because of a mistake by one of the officials of the underworld. For three thousand years the MC still loved the man and refused to give up his memories, reincarnating seven times but killed seven times by his love. Finally, when the ghost official who caused this mistake helped him reincarnate back in time, giving him a second chance to do everything over, he realized that his feelings for his love had worn out and faded, and all that was left was a sense of fatigue and hollowness. Yet, the man he loved, currently a powerless crown prince, was the only decent candidate for the throne compared to his two corrupted brothers, so for the prosperity of the MC's empire, he had no choice but to help the crown prince seize power.
It was a little sad, especially how innocents had to be sacrificed and all, how fragile relationships and trust could be, how tiring it was to plot, scheme, and act all the time just to survive. Just from looking at a fictional ancient China, I couldn't help but think how possible this all was (except the victory of the uncorrupted, that was definitely unreal). Corruption, power-struggles, and endless games of indirectness... And funny how I was suddenly reminded of how sad it was, that after 4000 years, Chinese politics remains the same. In the end, corruption poisons the government, and those cunning games are still played with chilling skill. On the surface it's all sunshine and rainbows, everyone treads carefully and acts civilly, always observing the situation to see how it serves them before deciding their next step. Beneath the surface is chilling ruthlessness, greed, and ambition. What is humanity, what is conscience, and what is trust? In the cutthroat politics of ancient China, such luxuries do not exist.
But at least there was a HEA. Well-deserved!
May 1, 2022
This was SUCH a great novel! Priest really outdid herself here. Miri and I had a great time buddy reading this! The amount of times we fangirled, cried, laughed, and yelled lol! And dare I say.. I may have liked this a tad bit more than Faraway Wanderers!? I really love how we got to see how Lord Seventh came to be, his past relationships with everyone, etc. Very intriguing storyline, I was genuinely hooked from beginning to end. Word of Honor and Faraway Wanderers now seem to make MUCH more sense. Loved seeing familiar characters as well, and ugh WUXI x BEIYUAN FOREVER ?
June 14, 2021
Siento que esta historia me atrapó más que su secuela. ?
Podía sentir todo lo que sentía Wuxi, y me emocionó todo el proceso que tuvo que pasar para admitir lo que sentía por Beiyuan.
La historia de Beiyuan es otro tema, fue muy triste para mi pobre corazón. Mi teoría sobre la causa de su triste destino, fue confirmada en los extras, asi que puedo decir que logré entender y darle sentido en mi cabeza, a todas las penurias y triste vida de Beiyuan.
La historia de Helian Yi también fue triste, pero creo que Beiyuan merecía a alguien que lo ame sobre todo y encontró a la pareja perfecta.
Quedé feliz con el final de la novela.
Podía sentir todo lo que sentía Wuxi, y me emocionó todo el proceso que tuvo que pasar para admitir lo que sentía por Beiyuan.
La historia de Beiyuan es otro tema, fue muy triste para mi pobre corazón. Mi teoría sobre la causa de su triste destino, fue confirmada en los extras, asi que puedo decir que logré entender y darle sentido en mi cabeza, a todas las penurias y triste vida de Beiyuan.
La historia de Helian Yi también fue triste, pero creo que Beiyuan merecía a alguien que lo ame sobre todo y encontró a la pareja perfecta.
Quedé feliz con el final de la novela.
March 22, 2021
"In this life, you will be the only one in my heart. In the next life, and the life after that, I will forever remember you, so long as my soul hasn’t scattered."
Wu Xi my sweet earnest deadly poison king I love you so much.
January 11, 2024
Lord Seventh is by no means for everyone. Centering around a man who's given a second chance to relive a life that initially ended in pain, torment, betrayal, and abandonment, it's largely about the messy machinations of those involved with court life and all that entails. If you enjoy that sort of thing, as well as a main character characterized by a mixture of scheming and lackadaisical cynicism, I encourage you to pick this up. If not, at least know that this is where the majority of this story's focus lies and that everything often feels bleak and meaningless. Maybe this isn't for you if you're looking for a story where the romantic development is the primary focus. (But if you're like me, that might be a selling point.)
That being said, Lord Seventh is extremely thematically coherent and effectively adheres to an internal logic about the almost senseless loop this story is caught it. It is incredibly appropriate that our lead, Jing Beiyuan, is living through this life a second time while resigning himself to the fact that he's probably not going to be able to change much of anything at all because of the finite options that court life gives him. He doesn't particularly want to get too intimately involved with the Crown Prince, Helian Yi, but he also acknowledges that he doesn't want him dead and that anyone else in power would likely spell greater misery for the common people. So he gets involved with him again while holding him at arm's length, because the more personal aspect of their relationship didn't end well the last time. But he still schemes and maneuvers on his behalf, trying to temper it with other schemes and maneuvers that will hopefully cause less bloodshed and limit the prince's power once he becomes emperor. As one can imagine, the results are often mixed and stained with blood of their own.
Throughout the course of this, Jing Beiyuan fully anticipates that he will once again die young, alone, misunderstood, and unfulfilled. Rather than mourning that his second chance will likely end the same as the first, he largely seems to find comfort in it. Anything he does, any mistakes he makes doesn't matter as long as he achieves what he needs to achieve before it comes back to bite him in the ass. He throws himself into laziness and simple pleasures whenever he can, because at least that's something he can do differently from last time. He finds his own cynicism strangely freeing, even as the reader can clearly see that it limits him in turn. It's a very interesting internal dynamic, and in many ways, it's the core of the reading experience.
Part of what he changes in this go-round is getting closer to a young heir of a conquered nation who's being kept hostage until he reaches adulthood. He hopes that getting close to Wu Xi will limit his people's aggressions toward the emperor and, if necessary, give Helian Yi a place to go if one of his older brothers ends up in power or trying to kill him in earnest. He's surprised to find himself fond of the young man as the blunt, earnest Wu Xi ends up incorporating himself more into his daily life as both a student and a friend.
Wu Xi is, interestingly, the light in the dark in this story. Jing Beiyuan very much befriends him for another scheming, cynical purpose, but that doesn't end up going quite to plan when he instead finds himself enjoying his friendship. Wu Xi is largely not involved in a lot of the main plot and the scheming until the very last chapters, which makes any scene with him incredibly refreshing. He's also more straight-forward and honest about his thoughts and intentions than any of the other characters, who are always neck-deep in three-layered lies and false smiles. It feels appropriate, then, that he is ultimately the one who can provide Jing Beiyuan a way out of this bleak, blood-stained cycle that he has come to accept as his life. It's so very, very appropriate that he doesn't feel directly involved in the main plot until the end, because in hindsight, it is incredibly clear that this was always going to be his narrative purpose.
All that in mind, Lord Seventh is exceptionally good at what it does, even if what it does often feels directionless and maddening and cynical. It's very clearly supposed to feel that way, and the sudden ending with it's lack of full resolution to the more politically-oriented plot points is the most appropriate ending it could have. Of course those aspects aren't going to be fully resolved: the whole point is that they're cyclical and unending, and the only way to fully free yourself from them is to walk away and accept that some of your goals are going to be incomplete. You did what you could, and after a certain point, you've got to be able to walk away or let someone else lead you away. The scene partway through where Jing Beiyuan almost finds a sense of relief in Wu Xi jokingly suggesting that he kidnap him and take him home with him is so very telling. It's not a perfect novel, and it drags in places, but it's good at what it does.
I also want to take a moment to give kudos to the translator for delivering an incredibly readable, informative, well-sourced experience. (As well as hilarious commentary at the end of the chapters!) Their presence was especially noted in the first half when Wu Xi is still young and doesn't have a full grasp on the language he's speaking. The stilted, unique, and almost over-literal speech patterns really shone through even through the novel itself being translated, and I have to imagine that took a considerable amount of mindfulness and care. Your hard work is seen and appreciated, and I'm definitely looking into the other works you've translated!
That being said, Lord Seventh is extremely thematically coherent and effectively adheres to an internal logic about the almost senseless loop this story is caught it. It is incredibly appropriate that our lead, Jing Beiyuan, is living through this life a second time while resigning himself to the fact that he's probably not going to be able to change much of anything at all because of the finite options that court life gives him. He doesn't particularly want to get too intimately involved with the Crown Prince, Helian Yi, but he also acknowledges that he doesn't want him dead and that anyone else in power would likely spell greater misery for the common people. So he gets involved with him again while holding him at arm's length, because the more personal aspect of their relationship didn't end well the last time. But he still schemes and maneuvers on his behalf, trying to temper it with other schemes and maneuvers that will hopefully cause less bloodshed and limit the prince's power once he becomes emperor. As one can imagine, the results are often mixed and stained with blood of their own.
Throughout the course of this, Jing Beiyuan fully anticipates that he will once again die young, alone, misunderstood, and unfulfilled. Rather than mourning that his second chance will likely end the same as the first, he largely seems to find comfort in it. Anything he does, any mistakes he makes doesn't matter as long as he achieves what he needs to achieve before it comes back to bite him in the ass. He throws himself into laziness and simple pleasures whenever he can, because at least that's something he can do differently from last time. He finds his own cynicism strangely freeing, even as the reader can clearly see that it limits him in turn. It's a very interesting internal dynamic, and in many ways, it's the core of the reading experience.
Part of what he changes in this go-round is getting closer to a young heir of a conquered nation who's being kept hostage until he reaches adulthood. He hopes that getting close to Wu Xi will limit his people's aggressions toward the emperor and, if necessary, give Helian Yi a place to go if one of his older brothers ends up in power or trying to kill him in earnest. He's surprised to find himself fond of the young man as the blunt, earnest Wu Xi ends up incorporating himself more into his daily life as both a student and a friend.
Wu Xi is, interestingly, the light in the dark in this story. Jing Beiyuan very much befriends him for another scheming, cynical purpose, but that doesn't end up going quite to plan when he instead finds himself enjoying his friendship. Wu Xi is largely not involved in a lot of the main plot and the scheming until the very last chapters, which makes any scene with him incredibly refreshing. He's also more straight-forward and honest about his thoughts and intentions than any of the other characters, who are always neck-deep in three-layered lies and false smiles. It feels appropriate, then, that he is ultimately the one who can provide Jing Beiyuan a way out of this bleak, blood-stained cycle that he has come to accept as his life. It's so very, very appropriate that he doesn't feel directly involved in the main plot until the end, because in hindsight, it is incredibly clear that this was always going to be his narrative purpose.
All that in mind, Lord Seventh is exceptionally good at what it does, even if what it does often feels directionless and maddening and cynical. It's very clearly supposed to feel that way, and the sudden ending with it's lack of full resolution to the more politically-oriented plot points is the most appropriate ending it could have. Of course those aspects aren't going to be fully resolved: the whole point is that they're cyclical and unending, and the only way to fully free yourself from them is to walk away and accept that some of your goals are going to be incomplete. You did what you could, and after a certain point, you've got to be able to walk away or let someone else lead you away. The scene partway through where Jing Beiyuan almost finds a sense of relief in Wu Xi jokingly suggesting that he kidnap him and take him home with him is so very telling. It's not a perfect novel, and it drags in places, but it's good at what it does.
I also want to take a moment to give kudos to the translator for delivering an incredibly readable, informative, well-sourced experience. (As well as hilarious commentary at the end of the chapters!) Their presence was especially noted in the first half when Wu Xi is still young and doesn't have a full grasp on the language he's speaking. The stilted, unique, and almost over-literal speech patterns really shone through even through the novel itself being translated, and I have to imagine that took a considerable amount of mindfulness and care. Your hard work is seen and appreciated, and I'm definitely looking into the other works you've translated!
April 26, 2022
Just make a live adaptation of Qi Ye already and tell me more about Jing Beiyuan and Wu Xi's lives in Nanjiang I beg.
October 6, 2021
Yeah, I did not like this book. Why am I even surprised at this point. Maybe it is a bit too much to want a healthy, fully consensual relationship from something that is basically Chinese yaoi…
...But then, Tian Guan Ci Fu exists so there is still some hope.
But unfortunately, I’m not here to review TGCF so let’s break this one down.
What I really liked was the premise.
Jing Qi dies six times in a row because of his One True Fated Love and every time waits for the said One True Fated Love so they can reincarnate together again and again. However when the last, seventh reincarnation came he just went full lol, nope, not doing this shit again and just… showed his supposed One True Fated Love middle finger.
...And I loved that. Now, I am a sucker for the concept of soulmates but this? A person finally realising that when their “relationship” didn’t work out six times in a row it won’t work out the seventh time either? Brilliant, yes please, more of this.
Jing Qi reincarnates back into his first life and tries to stay away from his soulmate the Crown Prince, more or less successfully.
That was what I liked. Now, what I didn’t like was almost the entire rest of the novel.
Minor characters were so uninteresting that I remember names of only two of them - Helian Yi, because, well, he’s the Crown Prince and Jing Qi’s supposed One True Fated Love (...and I actually kinda liked him and felt sorry for him) and Zhou Zishu, whose name I remember only because I watched like 8 episodes of Word of Honor.
Those palace intrigues were interesting, but still inherently boring. Seriously, Female General and Eldest Princess () did much better job at this.
And then there is the love interest. I only looked at other reviews of this novel briefly and? people actually like him?? I mean, good for you guys, you do you but… why?
Okay, fine, Wu Xi on his own is alright I guess. I didn’t find him very interesting but I guess that’s just me.
What wasn’t alright was that… thing he had for and I guess with? Jing Qi.
Jing Qi, because of the malfunctioning mythical soup of forgetfulness, remembers all of his previous lives. He’s basically a 500yo grandpa in the body of a teenager. Which… was actually quite funny. What wasn’t funny was the fact that he viewed Wu Xi as a kid for the entirety of the novel. ...Actually, it would be funny - if they didn’t end up together in the end.
For the entire novel not once I felt that Jing Qi feels towards Wu Xi anything but friendship. Even at the end, when they've actually got together, it felt more like “oh well, I guess I’ll indulge him” than reciprocated love.
That’s one half of the couple. The second half is Wu Xi, who apparently thinks that “If you’ll love anyone who isn’t me I’ll kill them” is the most romantic thing anyone could ever say. And oh boi, the borderline yandere streak this guy has…
Friendzone? What is friendzone? I’ll just pester my crush more.
No? What does “no” mean? I’ll still feel him up when he’s asleep.
You are trying to tell me that you don’t want to be with me? Well, time to ignore that.
…I’m still puzzled over the fact that this novel was recommended to me when I explicitly asked for novels with “healthy, non-rapey relationships”. But hey, Chinese yaoi I guess...
...But then, Tian Guan Ci Fu exists so there is still some hope.
But unfortunately, I’m not here to review TGCF so let’s break this one down.
What I really liked was the premise.
Jing Qi dies six times in a row because of his One True Fated Love and every time waits for the said One True Fated Love so they can reincarnate together again and again. However when the last, seventh reincarnation came he just went full lol, nope, not doing this shit again and just… showed his supposed One True Fated Love middle finger.
...And I loved that. Now, I am a sucker for the concept of soulmates but this? A person finally realising that when their “relationship” didn’t work out six times in a row it won’t work out the seventh time either? Brilliant, yes please, more of this.
Jing Qi reincarnates back into his first life and tries to stay away from his soulmate the Crown Prince, more or less successfully.
That was what I liked. Now, what I didn’t like was almost the entire rest of the novel.
Minor characters were so uninteresting that I remember names of only two of them - Helian Yi, because, well, he’s the Crown Prince and Jing Qi’s supposed One True Fated Love (...and I actually kinda liked him and felt sorry for him) and Zhou Zishu, whose name I remember only because I watched like 8 episodes of Word of Honor.
Those palace intrigues were interesting, but still inherently boring. Seriously, Female General and Eldest Princess () did much better job at this.
And then there is the love interest. I only looked at other reviews of this novel briefly and? people actually like him?? I mean, good for you guys, you do you but… why?
Okay, fine, Wu Xi on his own is alright I guess. I didn’t find him very interesting but I guess that’s just me.
What wasn’t alright was that… thing he had for and I guess with? Jing Qi.
Jing Qi, because of the malfunctioning mythical soup of forgetfulness, remembers all of his previous lives. He’s basically a 500yo grandpa in the body of a teenager. Which… was actually quite funny. What wasn’t funny was the fact that he viewed Wu Xi as a kid for the entirety of the novel. ...Actually, it would be funny - if they didn’t end up together in the end.
For the entire novel not once I felt that Jing Qi feels towards Wu Xi anything but friendship. Even at the end, when they've actually got together, it felt more like “oh well, I guess I’ll indulge him” than reciprocated love.
That’s one half of the couple. The second half is Wu Xi, who apparently thinks that “If you’ll love anyone who isn’t me I’ll kill them” is the most romantic thing anyone could ever say. And oh boi, the borderline yandere streak this guy has…
Friendzone? What is friendzone? I’ll just pester my crush more.
No? What does “no” mean? I’ll still feel him up when he’s asleep.
You are trying to tell me that you don’t want to be with me? Well, time to ignore that.
…I’m still puzzled over the fact that this novel was recommended to me when I explicitly asked for novels with “healthy, non-rapey relationships”. But hey, Chinese yaoi I guess...
April 6, 2021
"In this life, you will be the only one in my heart. In the next life, and the life after that, I will forever remember you, so long as my soul hasn’t scattered."
I loved WuXi and Beiyuan! Some of the court politics may have flown over my head but overall I really enjoyed Qiye.
The characters are excellent and the writing is so beautiful.
I have been obsessed with Shan He Ling (Word of Honor) and everything thing related so now I'm going start reading Tian Ya Ke. And if you haven't started watching it, please do, if I could only recommend one drama, then it would be this.
I loved WuXi and Beiyuan! Some of the court politics may have flown over my head but overall I really enjoyed Qiye.
The characters are excellent and the writing is so beautiful.
I have been obsessed with Shan He Ling (Word of Honor) and everything thing related so now I'm going start reading Tian Ya Ke. And if you haven't started watching it, please do, if I could only recommend one drama, then it would be this.
March 16, 2023
El libro se me hizo pesado, no puedo seguirlo me planto en el cap 26.
Pura política y nada de romance.
Me gusta el protagonista, es interesante pero ML no me gusta, es soso y no me di cuenta quién era hasta que no mire spoilers.
Me hubiera gustado que se metiera más el autor con lo de las 7 vidas, me parece muchísimo más interesante que todo el rato política palaciega.
Pura política y nada de romance.
Me gusta el protagonista, es interesante pero ML no me gusta, es soso y no me di cuenta quién era hasta que no mire spoilers.
Me hubiera gustado que se metiera más el autor con lo de las 7 vidas, me parece muchísimo más interesante que todo el rato política palaciega.
March 24, 2021
*sighs dreamily* that ending though.
This I quite enjoyed, though I did skim over alot (and I mean AlOT) of the plot and politics. I'm too dumb for all that talk. My brain cells could never. I relate to Wu Xi on that regard.
Like this -> “Every now and then, I get the general feeling that I’m stupid. Ninety percent of what Teacher says, I can’t understand." *me during online classes*
And the fact that Wu Xi was just constantly mentally plotting to drag Jing Qu back to his homeland was hilarious. Love that idiot to bits. And his pet snake uwu. (っ???)っ ?
"I didn’t even understand the words that came out of my own mouth.” *me when im forced into socializing*
Also Zhou ZiShu and Jing Qi being best friends gave me life. I want what they have. I loved every one of their interactions, and also unrelated but I've been OBSESSED with Word of Honor (the chinese drama) and I just freaked out every time Zhou ZiShu would appear.
Overall, the 3 stars were for all the adorable XiYaun moments, Jing Qi's sass, and Zhou ZiShi & Liang Jiuxiao being the best father-son duo *sobs*.
This I quite enjoyed, though I did skim over alot (and I mean AlOT) of the plot and politics. I'm too dumb for all that talk. My brain cells could never. I relate to Wu Xi on that regard.
Like this -> “Every now and then, I get the general feeling that I’m stupid. Ninety percent of what Teacher says, I can’t understand." *me during online classes*
And the fact that Wu Xi was just constantly mentally plotting to drag Jing Qu back to his homeland was hilarious. Love that idiot to bits. And his pet snake uwu. (っ???)っ ?
"I didn’t even understand the words that came out of my own mouth.” *me when im forced into socializing*
Also Zhou ZiShu and Jing Qi being best friends gave me life. I want what they have. I loved every one of their interactions, and also unrelated but I've been OBSESSED with Word of Honor (the chinese drama) and I just freaked out every time Zhou ZiShu would appear.
Overall, the 3 stars were for all the adorable XiYaun moments, Jing Qi's sass, and Zhou ZiShi & Liang Jiuxiao being the best father-son duo *sobs*.
June 9, 2022
Loved that. Now on to Faraway Wanderers.
March 30, 2021
3.75/5?
C?nh B?c Uyên m?y ki?p tr?m lu?n quy?t ??i m?t ng??i bên c?u N?i Hà, c? m?i v?t v??ng gi?a hoàng tuy?n ba th??c, h?ng tr?n v?n tr??ng. Qu? sai qua s?ng Vong Xuyên ??u chú ? t?i nam t? tóc tr?ng mu?t ng?i b?t ??ng bên ?á Tam Sinh su?t tr?m n?m, g?i y là Th?t gia. ??n ki?p th? 7, B?ch V? Th??ng vì mu?n chu?c l?i mà ??i cho y m?t ??i tóc ?en, tr? v? ki?p ??u tiên lúc C?nh B?c Uyên còn là Nam Ninh V??ng, quan h? c?a y và thái t? ??i Khánh Hách Liên D?c v?n còn là b?c qu?n th?n hoà h?p.
?ó gi? tui kh?ng h?p truy?n c?a Priest nên ??c cho ?? h? li?t th?i ch? kh?ng hi v?ng gì, mà b?t ng? là tui khá thích b? này ? ??c v?n án c? t??ng C?nh Th?t và Hách Liên D?c nh?ng n? n?, là ? Khê nha :))) V?n nh? c?, ??c truy?n Priest tui kh?ng hi?u gì h?t =)) l?i còn là cung ??u tranh quy?n ?o?t th? n?a ch?. T?u chung thì th?y ???c C?nh Th?t gi? ngu gi? kh? nh?ng t?m c? s?u dày, tính k? t?t c? m?i ng??i, sau ki?p ??u tiên b? thái t? h?i ch?t thì ?? ch?t t?m v?i nh?n duyên này r?i, nh?ng dù sao HLD v?n t?t h?n 2 v? hoàng huynh kia nên y v?n phò tá thái t? lên ng?i dù trong lòng kính s?. C?nh Th?t vì e ng?i vua t?i mà t? h?y thanh danh, mang ti?ng ?n ch?i trác táng, ham vui bi?ng làm nh?ng th? ?o?n có th?a, liên k?t v?i Chu T? Th? d?p h?t ch??ng ng?i. ? Khê thì d? c?ng l?m ?, ki?u ngh? gì nói n?y, m?i vào cung ?? do? qu?n th?n s? té ?*i ? Sau này m?i l?n Ti?u ? T? g?i "B?c Uyên" là tim tui m?m xèooo ?? Truy?n r?t hay dùng th? và ?i?n tích ?i?n c?, editor chú thích k? l?m, th?y th??ng :))) Tui thích ?o?n C?nh Th?t t? ch?i t?m ? c?a HLD ghê, ki?u ?n ? uy?n chuy?n mà ??y thi v?. HLD ki?p này bi?t ti?n lùi h?n ki?p tr??c, k? c?ng t?i, sinh ra trong hoàng gia, tình ph?i m?ng. V?n phong c?a Pi trong b? này r?t th? r?t tình, kh?ng b? kh? nh? m?y b? tui t?ng th?.
??c t?i ch??ng ph?n ??nh ai là 0 ai là 1 mà mu?n té x?u, Th?t gia thi?t thòi l?n r?i :)))) Cái k?t c?a truy?n này c?ng hay l?m nha, ti?u ??c v?t ? Khê ngay th?ng c? ??i c?ng bi?t tính trên ??u qu?n v??ng r?i :))
Note: Chu T? Th? trong b? này r?t quy?t li?t, h?t lòng vì thái t?, kh?ng m?y may tí gì, kh?ng có b? Thiên Nhai Khách thì còn t??ng CTT có hint v?i s? ?? C?u Tiêu ??
C?nh B?c Uyên m?y ki?p tr?m lu?n quy?t ??i m?t ng??i bên c?u N?i Hà, c? m?i v?t v??ng gi?a hoàng tuy?n ba th??c, h?ng tr?n v?n tr??ng. Qu? sai qua s?ng Vong Xuyên ??u chú ? t?i nam t? tóc tr?ng mu?t ng?i b?t ??ng bên ?á Tam Sinh su?t tr?m n?m, g?i y là Th?t gia. ??n ki?p th? 7, B?ch V? Th??ng vì mu?n chu?c l?i mà ??i cho y m?t ??i tóc ?en, tr? v? ki?p ??u tiên lúc C?nh B?c Uyên còn là Nam Ninh V??ng, quan h? c?a y và thái t? ??i Khánh Hách Liên D?c v?n còn là b?c qu?n th?n hoà h?p.
?ó gi? tui kh?ng h?p truy?n c?a Priest nên ??c cho ?? h? li?t th?i ch? kh?ng hi v?ng gì, mà b?t ng? là tui khá thích b? này ? ??c v?n án c? t??ng C?nh Th?t và Hách Liên D?c nh?ng n? n?, là ? Khê nha :))) V?n nh? c?, ??c truy?n Priest tui kh?ng hi?u gì h?t =)) l?i còn là cung ??u tranh quy?n ?o?t th? n?a ch?. T?u chung thì th?y ???c C?nh Th?t gi? ngu gi? kh? nh?ng t?m c? s?u dày, tính k? t?t c? m?i ng??i, sau ki?p ??u tiên b? thái t? h?i ch?t thì ?? ch?t t?m v?i nh?n duyên này r?i, nh?ng dù sao HLD v?n t?t h?n 2 v? hoàng huynh kia nên y v?n phò tá thái t? lên ng?i dù trong lòng kính s?. C?nh Th?t vì e ng?i vua t?i mà t? h?y thanh danh, mang ti?ng ?n ch?i trác táng, ham vui bi?ng làm nh?ng th? ?o?n có th?a, liên k?t v?i Chu T? Th? d?p h?t ch??ng ng?i. ? Khê thì d? c?ng l?m ?, ki?u ngh? gì nói n?y, m?i vào cung ?? do? qu?n th?n s? té ?*i ? Sau này m?i l?n Ti?u ? T? g?i "B?c Uyên" là tim tui m?m xèooo ?? Truy?n r?t hay dùng th? và ?i?n tích ?i?n c?, editor chú thích k? l?m, th?y th??ng :))) Tui thích ?o?n C?nh Th?t t? ch?i t?m ? c?a HLD ghê, ki?u ?n ? uy?n chuy?n mà ??y thi v?. HLD ki?p này bi?t ti?n lùi h?n ki?p tr??c, k? c?ng t?i, sinh ra trong hoàng gia, tình ph?i m?ng. V?n phong c?a Pi trong b? này r?t th? r?t tình, kh?ng b? kh? nh? m?y b? tui t?ng th?.
??c t?i ch??ng ph?n ??nh ai là 0 ai là 1 mà mu?n té x?u, Th?t gia thi?t thòi l?n r?i :)))) Cái k?t c?a truy?n này c?ng hay l?m nha, ti?u ??c v?t ? Khê ngay th?ng c? ??i c?ng bi?t tính trên ??u qu?n v??ng r?i :))
Note: Chu T? Th? trong b? này r?t quy?t li?t, h?t lòng vì thái t?, kh?ng m?y may tí gì, kh?ng có b? Thiên Nhai Khách thì còn t??ng CTT có hint v?i s? ?? C?u Tiêu ??
September 14, 2021
★★★★☆ [4/5 stars]
October 10, 2021
Love this one, although I am a fluff lover and this has a bit of sad angst.
I loved the character of Wu Xi , mostly read this for him xD I adore him since his first appearance and you can only love him until the end.
*It has a lot of historical/ political plot .
*Its happy ending ?
I loved the character of Wu Xi , mostly read this for him xD I adore him since his first appearance and you can only love him until the end.
*It has a lot of historical/ political plot .
*Its happy ending ?
August 25, 2021
Definitely one of the most intense novel I've ever read. If you enjoy rotten politics, morally grey characters, unbridled fate and the most unfair tribulations, sprinkled with the softest love, then this book is for you. A definite classic by our beloved Priest.
Jing Beiyuan, our mastermind protag, is an anachronist currently in his seventh reincarnation, hence his title - Qi Ye - Lord Seventh. He was born as a prince in his first and was intimately in cohorts with the Crown Prince, Helian Yi. However, due to a mistake on part of the Soul Reaper, he spends the next six lifetimes in agony and torture. In his seventh, he is reborn as a Prince, but this time, with all the memories of last six lifetimes. His kingdom is a political mess and the king is dying. Who will inherit the throne next?
An entirely complex novel with morally grey characters who are as ruthless as they are loyal and a serpentine plot filled with thorny situations, is what makes Qi Ye a compelling read. Jing Beiyuan is detached and least interested in this life; however, unexpected characters and emotions ultimately carve a new fate for him. His unloved heart beats again.
Qi Ye conceptualizes the idea of writing one's own fate - and that every waking decision of today determines the life you lead tomorrow. Priest, once again, in this masterful novel, will make you tremble and question all that you know about human vices. And in the end you will only realise that this is madness, this is politics.
4 stars
PS: All my reverence to the translators because goddamnit you are a blessing to this world!!!
Jing Beiyuan, our mastermind protag, is an anachronist currently in his seventh reincarnation, hence his title - Qi Ye - Lord Seventh. He was born as a prince in his first and was intimately in cohorts with the Crown Prince, Helian Yi. However, due to a mistake on part of the Soul Reaper, he spends the next six lifetimes in agony and torture. In his seventh, he is reborn as a Prince, but this time, with all the memories of last six lifetimes. His kingdom is a political mess and the king is dying. Who will inherit the throne next?
An entirely complex novel with morally grey characters who are as ruthless as they are loyal and a serpentine plot filled with thorny situations, is what makes Qi Ye a compelling read. Jing Beiyuan is detached and least interested in this life; however, unexpected characters and emotions ultimately carve a new fate for him. His unloved heart beats again.
Qi Ye conceptualizes the idea of writing one's own fate - and that every waking decision of today determines the life you lead tomorrow. Priest, once again, in this masterful novel, will make you tremble and question all that you know about human vices. And in the end you will only realise that this is madness, this is politics.
4 stars
PS: All my reverence to the translators because goddamnit you are a blessing to this world!!!
October 22, 2021
I honestly don’t know what rating I should give this book tbh.
My heart says 4.25 and my brain says 4.0 so idk ?
It’s late so this might not even make sense?
I’m not a big fan of moral injustice but in the context of the book, it’s expected because politics hehe.
The beauty of this book is that there wasn’t a definite villain. Everyone had the capacity to be an antagonist in their own respects (except you, Liang Jiuxiao, you’re an angel).
Reading the blurb, you’d think this was a typical black vs white, hero vs villain story. Evil ex and poor bastard who was devoted as heck for 7 lifetimes. But that’s the thing! Just like there were wasn’t a clear cut villain... there wasn’t a hero.
The characters in this story are morally grey. It makes them harder to understand or like, tbh. I wouldn’t have them any other way tho. Making them morally grey gave this tale a interesting route.
But really some of the things they did was just ???.
Now let me just rant a bit on the things I absolutely cannot just sit by and disregard.
1.) Yandere-tendencies
Okay like... dude yes I understand that you like a certain person but some of THAT was way off the line. Was that really necessary??? ????
2.) A simple warning
Okay to all who plan to read this you really gotta detach your IRL morals when reading abt these characters. It’s really quite disturbing some of the things they did. ?
My heart says 4.25 and my brain says 4.0 so idk ?
It’s late so this might not even make sense?
I’m not a big fan of moral injustice but in the context of the book, it’s expected because politics hehe.
The beauty of this book is that there wasn’t a definite villain. Everyone had the capacity to be an antagonist in their own respects (except you, Liang Jiuxiao, you’re an angel).
Reading the blurb, you’d think this was a typical black vs white, hero vs villain story. Evil ex and poor bastard who was devoted as heck for 7 lifetimes. But that’s the thing! Just like there were wasn’t a clear cut villain... there wasn’t a hero.
The characters in this story are morally grey. It makes them harder to understand or like, tbh. I wouldn’t have them any other way tho. Making them morally grey gave this tale a interesting route.
But really some of the things they did was just ???.
Now let me just rant a bit on the things I absolutely cannot just sit by and disregard.
1.) Yandere-tendencies
Okay like... dude yes I understand that you like a certain person but some of THAT was way off the line. Was that really necessary??? ????
2.) A simple warning
Okay to all who plan to read this you really gotta detach your IRL morals when reading abt these characters. It’s really quite disturbing some of the things they did. ?
February 8, 2022
Oh man, I am emotional. This book was so good, I couldn't stop reading. When I heard about it, I wasn't so sure whether I'd like it or not because the summaries I read said it was a lot of political drama and I don't usually care too much about politics, but that didn't end up being a bad thing at all. The protagonist, Jing Beiyuan, is brilliant and it was exhilarating to follow along with all the scheming. I also felt like I was stupid and was able to pick up some wisdom, haha. Not only that, the novel was also brimming with historical/cultural/literary references that I really wanted to understand better. I felt enriched and curious for more, like I'm still not done with the book even though I'm technically done reading it.
What I really loved about this book was the depth of understanding of the human psyche. Everyone felt so real, solid, and complex, and it had that melancholic, contemplative tone that made me think deeply about life and human nature. The whole novel was beautiful, poetic, and sad, but of course with funny moments and sweet moments here and there. The translation I read (chichilations) was exquisitely done. I think this has officially become my favorite novel.
What I really loved about this book was the depth of understanding of the human psyche. Everyone felt so real, solid, and complex, and it had that melancholic, contemplative tone that made me think deeply about life and human nature. The whole novel was beautiful, poetic, and sad, but of course with funny moments and sweet moments here and there. The translation I read (chichilations) was exquisitely done. I think this has officially become my favorite novel.
June 9, 2020
A brilliant story following Jing Beiyuan's emotional journey moving on from a tragic love that spanned seven lifetimes, and carving out a new life for himself. One of the things I love about priest's characters is their emotional depth and maturity, and it especially stands out in this story, as Jing Beiyuan is someone who has reincarnated and retained his memory over several hundred years & seven lifetimes. You can really feel the weight of his years through every word.
The backdrop to his emotional journey is a ruthless fight for the throne involving three princes. It does a really amazing job of portraying how even the most well-intentioned parties get corrupted by the viciousness of the power struggle just to survive. I thought what Mei Changsu did to Jingrui in Nirvana in Fire was the biggest asshole move I've seen anyone pull in a while... Then I read Qi Ye.
I recommend this book to people looking for characters with emotional depth, who don't mind if the protagonists are Machiavellian to the extreme, and who don't mind a rather melancholy story with an ultimately happy ending.
The backdrop to his emotional journey is a ruthless fight for the throne involving three princes. It does a really amazing job of portraying how even the most well-intentioned parties get corrupted by the viciousness of the power struggle just to survive. I thought what Mei Changsu did to Jingrui in Nirvana in Fire was the biggest asshole move I've seen anyone pull in a while... Then I read Qi Ye.
I recommend this book to people looking for characters with emotional depth, who don't mind if the protagonists are Machiavellian to the extreme, and who don't mind a rather melancholy story with an ultimately happy ending.
June 6, 2021
The coolest thing about this book is its premise but Priest never takes full advantage of it. The main appeal of reincarnation stories is seeing how this life will differ from all the past ones, but since we're only given passing details on Jing Beiyuan's previous life I don't know what's the point. I'm not invested in the romance either. Jing Beiyuan spends a good chunk of the book friendzoning Wu Xi so the change in feelings is too abrupt and not earned. The court intrigue is fun but that's really it.
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