It's honestly not even the best fantasy I've read but the ruthlessness that drove our main characters to get what they want no matter what is perfect. I love when the lines of good and bad are so discordantly blurred... and completely unexpected! I love me a shock factor like yes stun me with that controversial morality... Not to mention Zhu's trajectory from desperate desire to total fulfillment is almost unbelievable how tf did they get there... It was super organic and awe-inspiring.

The gender elements in this made it SO enjoyable, too. It was so fucking refreshing and honestly a learning experience without needing to divert from the plot. Just something that made the characters who they are. YEAH BABY.