little-bluebells-nook

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4/5

I knew what happened would happen but I was not expecting it to happen yet. I honestly thought it would happen in the next one. I have to admit I did cry a bit. And now there's only one more to go.

[little-bluebells-nook]

Legend of the condor heroes vol 3: A snake lies waiting. I have no idea how to rate it, because I have a weird love-hate relationship with this book. The overall plot is intriguing and I am planning to read the final volume at some point as well. But at the same time there a lot of characters I absolutely hate and am just waiting for them to die. One of the bigger offenders luckily did die in this volume, yay for that. The plot, especially so in this part, relied very heavily on misunderstandings to move things along, and that combined with some of the characters just drove me insane. I swear every time one misunderstanding was solved, at least two more emerged like the heads of a hydra. So it was sure a ride. Surprisingly Huang Rong didn't actually annoy me quite as much here as she has in the two previous parts.

[little-bluebells-nook]

Legend of the condor heroes: the gallants

Finally, Legend of the condor heroes: the gallants, which gets an 8,5/10 from me. This was so long awaited and I even started reading the novel in January while waiting the movie, now in vol 3 out of 4.

First of all, Guo Jing, I love my baby boy Guo Jing, both in the book and in the movie. He is so kind and earnest and Xiao Zhan brought the core of the character so well. Although I do feel like movie Guo Jing is not as dumb as his book counterpart.

As for Huang Rong, I was quite worried before watching the movie, because I can't stand her in the novel. She is probably my least favorite character and I was afraid it would effect the way I see her in the movie no matter how she's written. I am happy to say my fear was unfounded and I found movie Huang Rong to be a very endearing character and Zhuang Dafei had great chemistry with Xiao Zhan as well. Their reunion scene near the end was so precious.

I also really liked that Huang Rong and Huazheng had more between them than just being love rivals. And Huazheng, despite her obsessiveness and temper, was able to own up to her mistakes and in the end even defied the Khan's direct order to help Guo Jing, so she gets a thumbs up from me as well.

The cinematography of the movie was gorgeous. There were so many gorgeous landscape shots, incredible scenes filled with tons of people and horses that still managed to be perfectly coordinated, just a great looking movie. I also really liked the music. The fight scenes however, were not quite what I expected. Based on the bts practice clips there was a lot of actual hand-to-hand combat, and even some armed one, but in the movie, pretty much everything happens through inner force, and I don't think Guo Jing actually physically touches anyone while fighting even once in the film. The fights were still pretty cool though, especially everything Guo Jing did with fire.

Overall, a great movie and I would definitely recommend it.

[little-bluebells-nook]

3,95/5

This was a pleasant surprise. I don't usually read Finnish books, especially Finnish fantasy, because they just tend to not work for me. But I enjoyed this. I picked it up because the premise reminded me of Half a soul (a mystery in a historical setting with magic and fairies) and it worked.

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藏海传 Legend of Zang Hai

[little-bluebells-nook]

9/10

Finally watched K-pop demon hunters and this movie was a delight. It was just so much fun, I watched this with a friend and especially at the beginning, we were pausing every few minutes because we were laughing so hard. But the serious moments really hit home too, especially when Rumi's secret came out during Golden/Takedown, that scene was genuinely stressful and distressing to watch.

I also loved what they did with the animation. They really showed what animation can do, that live action can't. Instead of trying to make it look realistic, they played with it and the visual comedy it created was so good.

I have to admit, a lot of the songs were just okay for me, but there were a lot of bangers as well, my favorite being How it's done. Seeing the video for that on youtube is actually what made me want to watch the movie.

But really overall a super enjoyable watch, I have to rewatch it at some point.

[little-bluebells-nook]

4/5

Really entertaining, I really liked this volume. The tennis match was so funny with Loid and Fiona's thoughts not actually aligning at all and Loid just not being interested in the slightest bit. And finally in the end, we get to meet THE Donovan Desmond.

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3,5/5

With Thousand autumns 2, I made a bit of a mistake because I waited too long between parts 1 and 2 and had forgotten quite a lot and felt a bit confused when I started this one, especially a lot of the characters names. But once I got into it again it was enjoyable. Although in this case the romance part is what I'm looking forward to the least.

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DNF

I was pretty disappointed with this. I watched Eternal love a couple years back and really enjoyed it so I went into this one with high hopes. But then a year went by and I wasn't even in episode 20 yet and I just didn't care. Bai Fengjiu mostly annoyed me. I made it to Dong Hua's mortal arc and everything about it just drove me mad. Bai Fengjiu continued to be incredibly annoying and the emperor just became the most pathetic wet rag around her and it just made me want to scream. So I'm officially giving up on this one.

[little-bluebells-nook]

After a lot of head scratching and pondering, I finally settled on a score. This drama gets a solid 9/10 from me.

Legend of Zang Hai final thoughts

This drama as a whole was a really enjoyable one. The plot was intriguing and addicting, the characters well written and interesting and the drama was visually beautiful. The villains were despicable and made me root for Zang Hai and his revenge and the good guys made me love them. Still, especially Zhuang Luyin, despite being a horrible person, still had some redeeming qualities, which made him a very interesting character to follow. And Zang Hai as the main character was so interesting and I was so invested in his story.

Acting-wise wise this was Xiao Zhan's best role in my opinion. He really shone so bright and showcased so much range and depth in his character work. There were times when I thought he couldn't get any better and then he did. He blew my mind with his acting. And the bts clips really show the dedication and effort he put into bringing Zang Hai to life.

As for Xiang Antu and the romance, it really took me a while to warm up to her, but eventually I did, and think her and Zang Hai were a cute couple. I don't think the drama necessarily needed a romance plotline at all, but I wasn't mad about it either.

The drama is also visually so gorgeous, it looks expensive and luxurious. The sets are really beautiful and so are all the costumes, my favorite being the Dongxian outfits, especially Zang Hai's black outfit from episode 39. I've seen some bts material about the costume design and they put so much detail to the to all the costumes. Even though the drama takes place in a fictional version of ancient China, they put so much thought to historical accuracy, from the embroidery of the officials' and ministers' outfits to the blue scholar robes and even the belts worn by the ministers, including Zang Hai. And the difference between the Yong outfits and the Dongxian outfits is so clear too. There's no way you could mistake them for being of the same culture.

I was originally worried about the ending. The drama is so bloody and it has so much tragedy and suffering throughout, I was afraid a happy ending wouldn't be possible. But luckily they wrapped up everything in a very satisfying manner.

All in all, I had been waiting for this drama the second it was first announced around a year and a half ago and it did not let me down. It was absolutely worth the wait.

I meant to also give my rating in this post but I just don't know how to rate it. I waited for a couple of days if I could settle on one, but no rating seems to fit. I have never had this hard of a time rating a drama before and I don't really know why. I'll update if I can figure out a final rating.

[little-bluebells-nook]

Legend of Zang Hai final thoughts

This drama as a whole was a really enjoyable one. The plot was intriguing and addicting, the characters well written and interesting and the drama was visually beautiful. The villains were despicable and made me root for Zang Hai and his revenge and the good guys made me love them. Still, especially Zhuang Luyin, despite being a horrible person, still had some redeeming qualities, which made him a very interesting character to follow. And Zang Hai as the main character was so interesting and I was so invested in his story.

Acting-wise wise this was Xiao Zhan's best role in my opinion. He really shone so bright and showcased so much range and depth in his character work. There were times when I thought he couldn't get any better and then he did. He blew my mind with his acting. And the bts clips really show the dedication and effort he put into bringing Zang Hai to life.

As for Xiang Antu and the romance, it really took me a while to warm up to her, but eventually I did, and think her and Zang Hai were a cute couple. I don't think the drama necessarily needed a romance plotline at all, but I wasn't mad about it either.

The drama is also visually so gorgeous, it looks expensive and luxurious. The sets are really beautiful and so are all the costumes, my favorite being the Dongxian outfits, especially Zang Hai's black outfit from episode 39. I've seen some bts material about the costume design and they put so much detail to the to all the costumes. Even though the drama takes place in a fictional version of ancient China, they put so much thought to historical accuracy, from the embroidery of the officials' and ministers' outfits to the blue scholar robes and even the belts worn by the ministers, including Zang Hai. And the difference between the Yong outfits and the Dongxian outfits is so clear too. There's no way you could mistake them for being of the same culture.

I was originally worried about the ending. The drama is so bloody and it has so much tragedy and suffering throughout, I was afraid a happy ending wouldn't be possible. But luckily they wrapped up everything in a very satisfying manner.

All in all, I had been waiting for this drama the second it was first announced around a year and a half ago and it did not let me down. It was absolutely worth the wait.

I meant to also give my rating in this post but I just don't know how to rate it. I waited for a couple of days if I could settle on one, but no rating seems to fit. I have never had this hard of a time rating a drama before and I don't really know why. I'll update if I can figure out a final rating.

[little-bluebells-nook]

Legend of Zang Hai episode 40 thoughts

Oh hell, he made a zombie.

How did Antu end up as one of the soldiers? Is this her doing, or Zhuang Zhixing's doing. Is he actually defying Zhao Bingwen?

Is Zang Hai trying to trick Zhao Bingwen into going to the shrine?

Really, Zhao Bingwen even managed to get the new Queen of Dongxia to help in destroying Dongxia. He is good. And she must be very insecure.

He's trying to make Zang Hai a zombie? Why. To see if he can be controlled?

So Zhuang Zhixing was double crossing Zhao Bingwen. Good boy.

The ghost soldiers in the shrine are a hallucination. How in the world is Zang Hai controlling a hallucination? That scene was so cool. The way Zhao Bingwen saw a ghost soldier in Zang Hai and Zang Hai killed him without actually killing him. It was a fitting end for him.

And Antu's sister came through for them too.

Zang Hai isn't going to destroy the seal immediately? Really?

Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhixing racing together to the capital gave me the biggest smile.

But even the last episode had to make me cry by showing Gao Ming's grave.

Zhuang Zhixing has returned home a hero, his wish fulfilled. Good for him.

And finally Zang Hai, or maybe Zhinu, has found in his heart a new home. And he can finally sleep his nights in peace. I'm happy.

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Legend of Zang Hai episode 39 thoughts

I knew Zang Hai would come up with something even in prison. And it seems like Zhuang Zhixing will be entering the stage once more. I understood nothing about Zang Hai and Antu's coded message though.

The Dongxia clothing is so gorgeous. This black outfit Zang Hai wears might be my favorite of all his outfits, it's so stunning.

I didn't recognise Xiang Hong at first. I knew that we would see Zhuang Zhixing again and I was wondering if it's as a friend or a foe. A foe, it seems.

I feel that Zang Hai and Antu are going to be in big trouble when Antu's sister finds out about the deception, but at the same time, there might not be time for them to end up in trouble before Zhao Bingwen shows up and tries to turn the whole country into zombies.

Oh Zhuang Zhixing, I'm so disappointed.

They found the zombies. But can they do anything without the seal?

Oh, so they aren't even real to begin with. That at the same time explains things and doesn't. It explains how zombies fit to a historical, non-supernatural drama.

Why does everyone I love either die or turn into a villain?

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Legend of Zang Hai episode 38 thoughts

Gao Ming, oh Gao Ming. For some reason I'm not angry like I was with Shi Quan/Lu Fen, just very upset. And the executions scene, oh god. I had seen a picture of him chained on the table and had many theories as to what is going on, none of which I will share because none were right, mine were just a lot more out there than what actually happened. And it was horrible. I was not expecting anything so hard to watch. I started crying when the first paper was put on. I had to pause every few seconds because it was so terrible, I was crying and shaking the whole time and it took me insanely long to get through it because I just kept pausing. The whole time I was praying that Gao Ming would step in and rescue him but he didn't. And now I'm left wondering how Zang Hai is supposed to come back to life.

I actually took a break at this point to pull myself back together and calm down a bit and it took a whole minute for this drama to make me cry again. It was a lovely scene and I hope Zang Hai will now be able to move on with his life, having gotten permission from his family. Maybe it will ease his survivor's guilt.

And Gao Ming was actually trying to save him all along, just not in an overtly noticeable way. He has redeemed himself in my eyes. Shout out to Prince Yongrong as well. And so the emperor did die. And Zang Hai was right.

Are they kidding me???!!!!! Gao Ming is dead? Why can't we have nice things. Zang Hai already lost his whole family ten years ago and now he managed still lose one more member. I have been crying this whole episode, no joke.

I don't like Xiang Antu's sister. At all. She is so mean for no reason. And Zang Hai is in prison again, after just getting out of one.

Now I only have two more episodes to go and I don't know how they're supposed to wrap up everything by then.

[little-bluebells-nook]

Legend of Zang Hai episode 37 thoughts

This is looking bad for Gao Ming. When Zhao Bingwen says he wants what's best for Zang Hai, somehow I feel like I would highly disagree.

Lu Fen?! So Zhao Bingwen is the one then. Ugh.

He said it! He went and said it! There's no going back now. I'm shaking.

How did Zhao Bingwen do it? How did he deceive the emperor? What did he do? Who will the emperor believe?

Lu f*****g Fen. I hate him. And now he's dead and that's the last of those vile siblings!

Zang Hai still gets arrested? That's a bit unreasonable.

Oh no, oh no. The emperor is activating the seal. Oh no.

I got a sudden bad feeling right before the emperor opened the seal that he would die. He didn't at least yet but I was right enough that something horrible happened to him. And now Zhao Bingwen is in charge and Zang Hai is at his mercy.

Okay, so these three villains became murderers as CHILDREN? Damn. And even after everything, Zhao Bingwen let the other two die to keep himself out of trouble. And he wants to create a zombie army to conquer the whole world. He is off his rockers.

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Legend of Zang Hai episode 36 thoughts

Why would zbw do this? Why would he take ZH see all these starving people? Hasn't he suffered enough and now that ZH has a chance to seemingly have his peace, why would he try to persuade him otherwise? He knows ZH is kindhearted and cares about the people. It seems cruel.

Oh. Oh! Is he it? Is that why he's doing this? Oh no. Do I need to start suspecting Gao Ming now too?

But Gao Ming seems to be of the opinion that it would be better to let Zang Hai leave. But he wants the bronze fish for Zhao Bingwen. Does he know? If not, why does he want it? Why does either of them want it? I don't like this. I don't want to have to suspect Gao Ming.

The painting belongs to Zhao Bingwen! But why would he want the seal? When he seems very upright in every other way. Why would he want to raise a zombie army?

They all studied together. Zhao Bingwen is starting to look more and more suspicious.

The scene between Zang Hai and Gao Ming was sweet, I don't want to believe he might be a traitor. But it seems like Zang Hai already does.

When Zang Hai cried in the end, I was crying with him.

Oh god, he's going to confront Zhao Bingwen directly. I'm freaking out.

[little-bluebells-nook]

3,75/5

Finally got vol 2 of the manga and read it right away. Maomao's sass and pragmatism continues to delight me. Will definitely continue with the series.