I have so much I want to say about this book! I mean this in the best way possible, this book felt like a fever dream. Such an enchanting tale with evocative descriptions that painted the most realistic picture in my head. Reading this book was so entertaining for that exact reason! It was not a perfect, 5 star read for me, but it came pretty damn close.

Xingyin is our main character and she is basically thrust into the society of cruel immortals when we meet her. She had one goal and it remained unchanged throughout the vast twists and turns this story took: to save her mother from eternal imprisonment. I respected Xingyin so much! She was fearless, but not in the arrogant way some fantasy mc's can be. Rather, Xingyin embraces the certainty of torture or death constantly. She does not take her actions and potential consequences lightly; she exercises so much thought and care into what she does. She was full of empathy and trust and kindness despite the horrid manners of others. She was a worthy mc to read and I'm excited to read book two!

Let's talk about that love triangle, though.

This is a less of a point redacted against this book or author and more against the trope itself. Love triangles are just the worst. It's always clear that the author has a favorite, and even though I knew better, I still found myself rooting for Wenzhi. I'll be completely honest, I don't really love Liwei. He is used to bowing under his parents combined mights to do as they please, even if it directly contradicts what he wants to do. I understand parental abuse and duty and all that, I really do. But I kept asking myself why Xingyin is so hellbent on this guy when he won't stand up for the life he deserves to have?? It broke my heart to see her abused by his parent's cruelty, and I kept hoping Liwei would prove himself a good suitor and finally stand up for her! (To be fair, this does happen at the very end...) That's why I loved Wenzhi more- he offered her the world and an equal place by his side. So what if he lied a little about his background?? So did she, and yet he forgave her nonetheless! I think Xingyin was too harsh on Wenzhi and too forgiving for Liwei. The heart wants what it wants, I suppose. I just want Liwei to be worthy of Xingyin. She risks herself for him constantly, I want him to reciprocate that energy!

Overall, I enjoyed this book!! It does have a long page count, and I sometimes questioned where the story was headed with every task Xingyin undertook. I trusted the process and it paid off! I will definitely read book two and the novella that was just released.