I read the book in French so here's the cover
This historical fantasy tale of two powerful men who find each other through life and death is now in English, for the very first time.
Wei Wuxian was once one of the most outstanding men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts, knowledge, and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek a new power through demonic cultivation, the world's respect for his skills turned to fear, and his eventual death was celebrated throughout the land.
Years later, he awakens in the body of an aggrieved young man who sacrifices his soul so that Wei Wuxian can exact revenge on his behalf. Though granted a second life, Wei Wuxian is not free from his first, nor the mysteries that appear before him now. Yet this time, he'll face it all with the righteous and esteemed Lan Wangji at his side, another powerful cultivator whose unwavering dedication and shared memories of their past will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them.
CW: Violence, death, body horror, gore, homophobia, murder, war, torture
Rating
Review
I heard about the series The Untamed for a long time. As people talked about it and praised it, I started to have a ton of extracts on my social media, making me curious. After a while, I was ready to watch it, but then I discovered that it was a book first, so I did some research and simply bought it in French, even if the translation of the series wasn't finished. It was my first time reading a Chinese xianxia, and I liked it very much.
This book is an excellent introduction to the world we will navigate into for the five coming books. As it was my first time with a Chinese light novel, I struggled a little at the beginning, as you have, in general, two names to designate someone; the terms used in this world you have a lot, and sometimes it can be overwhelming (especially when you start to mix two characters.) However, nothing can discourage you from continuing, as you have a glossary at the end. The best is to dive into it before starting the book. It's a complete one, so you even know how to pronounce the alphabet.
The first character we encounter is Wei Wuxian, and let me tell you, he is my favourite. Yeah, he was the villain in the previous war. Yeah, he tended to destroy everything when he was alive the first time, but I like his wittiness. You feel that he is a layered character, and as you read the book, you see it. His favourite target, Lan Wangji, is the complete opposite with his stoic posture. This tandem is funny as hell; the contrast between them is stellar, and when you understand the backstory of their relationship, it just gets better. I just hope we will have a little more of the other characters with whom I struggle a little more.
I like the mystery side of the story. Maybe I was too into it, so I was frustrated when it finished on a cliffhanger. At least the second book is available in French, so I immediately bought it. This book is a great surprise, and now I want to finish this series and watch The Untamed.
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