adult (52) BL (251) China (130) Chinese (174) Chinese literature (54) cultivation (60) danmei (1,111) fantasy (751) fiction (396) ghosts (56) LGBT (90) LGBTQ (147) LGBTQ+ (58) light novel (113) m/m (100) manhua (157) mystery (81) novel (66) own (90) paperback (74) queer (101) read (83) romance (417) series (69) supernatural (101) to-read (281) translated (116) translation (87) webnovel (49) xianxia (216)

Common Knowledge

Canonical name: Xiu, Mo Xiang Tong
Other names: 墨香铜臭
 Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù
MXTX
Mo Xiang Tong-Xiu
Mòxiāng Tóngxiù
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Birthdate: 20th century
Gender: female
Nationality: China
Map Location: China

Members

Reviews

Featured Recent Thumbs

All Ratings
89
½12
30
½7
6
½1
4
No Rating

All Languages
English182
Italian3
Chinese, traditional1

186 reviews

greeniezona 1,361 reviews

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Yes, these books still have their teeth round my organs.

Volume Two is almost all Yi City arc and Meng Yao backstory, which are both absolutely plot essential but also involve a LOT of flashbacks. But this volume also contains the absolutely epic moment where Wei Wuxian convinces the reserved Lan Zhan to get drunk, and discovering that Lan Shan likes to GET LICKED after reasoning that Drunk Lan Zhan likes to play chase/tag because of his repressed/austere childhood, decides it would be a show more SUPER FUN PRANK to KISS DRUNK LAN ZHAN ON THE MOUTH with just ABSOLUTELY ZERO self-knowledge or introspection, 11/10 disaster bisexual Oblivious King moment. I DON'T KNOW WHY HANGING AROUND BORING STICK-IN-THE-MUD LAN ZHAN MAKES ME SO HAPPY. HE IS JUST SO GOOD AT EVERYTHING AND SO FUN TO TEASE AND HIS LIPS ARE SO SOFT.

Listen. Sometimes I am reading MDZS fanfic and I think the "two geniuses who consult zero brain cells when it comes to each other" is fun but over exaggerated, but then I reread the canon and THAT IS REALLY HOW THEY BE.

These characters have my heart forever. show less

Aug 1, 20237 other reviews

greeniezona 1,361 reviews

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

This volume was my companion on an incredibly difficult day, and I could have hardly had a better book in my purse to face it with. Even though the darkest moments of this series — Jiang Cheng's concern for Wei Wuxian and his frustration/fear at not being able to protect him. Wei Wuxian's despair at not being able to protect the Wen remnants — and the utterly tragic confrontation that follows. The depths of Lan Zhan's bereftness...

Maybe someone else's pain and fear was a good distraction show more from my own. Especially when I know how in this case (except for Jiang Cheng), it will be resolved.

I love them all forever. show less

Feb 9, 20245 other reviews

Familiar_Diversions 2,022 reviews

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel), Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

This first volume of the series introduces Xie Lian, the former crown prince of the Kingdom of Xianle. When he first ascended and became a god, he had many worshipers and was loved by his followers. Unfortunately, his caring nature and desire to save the common people turned out to be his downfall, and at the start of this story he has ascended for the third time and is mostly powerless, penniless, and unlucky. Good thing he's pretty much used to it by this point.

In order to pay off his show more debts, Xie Lian agrees to look into reports of a ghost groom who's been kidnapping and likely killing brides in the Mount Yujun area. He is reluctantly assisted by Nan Feng and Fu Yao, two junior martial officials.

In the second half of the volume, Xie Lian meets a mysterious young man named San Lang and journeys to Banyue Pass to investigate attacks on travelers in the area.

I have things I like and dislike about each of MXTX's stories, but this one is probably my favorite overall (granted, I've only read up to about 75% of a fan translation of this series, so that could change). Hua Cheng and Xie Lian are my favorite of MXTX's couples, and the slow-burn aspects of their relationship are lots of fun. The characters interactions, in general, are really enjoyable. The series' weakest aspect is probably its overall plot, which takes forever to start coming together and then requires you to remember things that happened hundreds of pages ago. That's how I felt while reading a fan translation - we'll see how I feel about all of it now that I'm reading an official translation.

It's a good thing I like the Ghost Groom arc, because I've now gone through it at least five or six times, either in novel form or via the animated TV series. It comes across as a fairly self-contained supernatural mystery (I now know that there are a bunch of little details that will be important much later on ::sigh::) and is a nice way to ease into some of the basic characters, their world, and the way things work.

I'm not as wild about the Banyue arc, but San Lang's existence made it more enjoyable than it might otherwise have been. I loved San Lang's mischievous yet helpful interactions with Xie Lian and the way he openly thumbed his nose at Nan Feng and Fu Yao. Then there was the Sinner's Pit scene - sure, it had all the revelations about the downfall of Banyue, but it also had San Lang showing off a bit while princess carrying Xie Lian.

Now on to the next volume!

Extras:

Seven Seas' usual extensive and helpful character and name guide and glossary, although for once I didn't need to consult any of it. Also, black-and-white illustrations throughout, which I generally enjoyed, plus a couple full-color illustrations.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) show less

Sep 12, 202312 other reviews

annarchism 1,874 reviews

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

As the dongua hasn't reached volume 2 of TGCF, it was all new to me and great fun. Xie Lian got sent on another mission that resulted in mayhem, then the second arc opened with a flashback to his mortal days as crown prince of Xianle. Among the delightful things I learned from this volume: Hua Cheng's scimitar is as flirtatious with Xie Lian as its owner (this scene also has a charming illustration). Xie Lian responds to street harassment by claiming to have erectile dysfunction. Hua Cheng show more can invade heaven's group chat and immediately shut everyone up. Feng Xin and Mu Qing have been bickering ceaselessly for hundreds of years. Xie Lian didn't get on with his father and has a truly appalling cousin ('Qi Rong didn't just talk shit, he acted the part as well').

I particularly enjoyed the farcical Indiana Jones-style exploration that Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan conduct in Hua Cheng's Paradise Manor, which culminates in the place burning down. Xie Lian is apologetic and Hua Cheng sardonically amused throughout. While the scene in the gambling den and their sword-date are cute, I also love the chaotic hilarity of heavenly officials yelling at each other about their shenanigans:

"What's going on, General? Did something happen?"
Mu Qing also entered the communications array. "Bad news! Where's Ling Wen? Report to the emperor - Xie Lian ran off!"
He usually spoke gently and courteously, but now there was a flustered tinge to his voice.
Ling Wen reacted immediately, "What? I'll go to the Palace of Xianle to take a look!"
An official cried out in shock, "The Laug - His Highness ran off? Wasn't he detained at the Palace of Xianle?!"
Shi Qingxuan entered the communications array. "I just saw a bunch of junior officials of the Middle Court guarding the palace. You can only enter but not leave! How could he have run off?"
Feng Xin exclaimed, "What do you mean, 'ran off'? Stop adding to the confusion!"
"Well, he ran off with someone," Mu Qing said.
"He was KIDNAPPED!" Feng Xin clarified angrily.

On a more serious note, it was great to discover more of Xie Lian's complex backstory, which I'm sure will get much more tragic before it gets better. I also feel like I'm starting to unravel the great mystery that is Beefleaf. show less

Aug 4, 20249 other reviews

See More Reviews