#seizing dreams

[studywitheden]

Finally living the dream, don't want to wake up from this.

[wangjibff]

A quick presentation on why you should read Seizing Dreams by Feitian!!

[ashuuuuuuu]

I recently read seizing dreams/ doumeng and since it's so underrated i wanted to do a review of it so more people read this masterpiece so here's 10 reasons why you should read Seizing dreams :

1) Money is a recurring theme in it

Rarely do I see romance novels or any novels that talk so much deeply and sincerely about money. Both of our protagonists are from the opposite spectrum of economical status. Yu Hao , our MC is an orphan from the start of the novel and he has no one else but himself to depend on for money whereas Zhou Sheng, or ML is only son and future heir of his millionaire father's company. I know it sounds like a very kdrama cliche type of story with this setting but the way they handle and portray the struggles of both people from the opposite spectrum is beautiful. We see Yu Hao struggling with part time work when he's in college, we see him struggling with finding a job, we see him struggling working with minimum wage after college to follow his passion. Whereas we see Zhou Sheng struggling to understand what he wants to do in the future. Struggling to understand whether he wants to be the heir or not. Struggling to live like a middle class person with Yu Hao cuz he's never lived like that. There's an arc where both the main characters are struggling with internship and it's shown so realistically that yes internship makes you work the most with the minimum wage in exchange of "teaching" you. There's also a character struggling with a start up. The novel also depicts Pyramid schemes and you name it. Ofc the novel has ideologies about money too and the characters constantly discuss their ideal way of using money. Most of the time i see in romance novels characters just fall in love and live together and how they are making money is never mentioned that much. So i very much appreciated when this novel shows how big of a struggle it is to earn money in a third world country with a psychology degree for someone who doesn't have rich parents. I just love this aspect of the novel the most.

2) The main couple knows how to communicate well

Like I said above, they come from different worlds so they have different views on a lot of topics. Usually, if it was a kdrama maybe the girl would've went " we can't be together because we are from different worlds" but not our Yu Hao . He wants to do his best to be together with him especially because they come from different upbringings. Because of their differences , they clash sometimes and fight especially with money matters but those fights are always peaceful and there are no misunderstandings and both of them communicate well and it's just so beautiful to see a couple who KNOWS what communication is haha

3) Both leads are super complex

Like it's rare to see such complexity even in danmei for me. Both of the characters are so well written and just …they act like actual human beings. So they might annoy you a bit but their growth is super amazing. Both of them fight their inner demons throughout the story and their journey of becoming better humans both individually and as a couple is such an immaculate experience. At first, Yu Hao may come across is this goody-shoes kind of boy who doesn't know how to step up for himself but later we see him become more mature, witty and having more self confidence. Zhou Sheng also comes across as this clown kind of person who's very annoying and possessive but this behaviour of him manifests from his insecurities. He just has a different way of hiding his insecurities. When You Hao shuts himself from the world so he won't get hurt by people, Zhou Sheng makes their clown persona so people won't hurt the real him. Both of them are struggling in their own way and when we slowly get to see them peel off their masks and be proud of their own skin. It's just ahhh so beautiful.

4) The side characters are well written too

The side characters are just as complex as the main characters and i think that's such a feat. I don't wanna reveal too much since it'll be spoilers but the side characters are of all kinds of sexuality, gender and stories. They feel like real humans and just arghh it's all so beautiful

5) The genres are mixed very well

so the main genres of this would be slice of life and adventure cuz like they go to other people's dreams and it's pretty adventurous but the slice of life aspect of it is also very much present and both of these genres are mixed so well. Like I'm a slice of life gal so i don't like adventure stuff that much but here I loved the dreamscapes so yeah it's blended very well.

6) The CP

The yearning the main characters have for each other in the beginning, the pinning, the fluff when they do get together.

7) Friendship

The story gives very big importance to the friendships the characters have and i feel like friendships are rarely celebrated this well so it's always a treat when a story does this.

8) Psychology

The main character studies psychology in his college so there's a lot of discussions around that and even outside of it, the novel is filled with the psychology of self and so much more . If you love psychology like me, it's a must. If you are a psychology student like me and Yu Hao, it's more of a must!

9) The smut

Tiref of reading censored and faded out sex scenes danmei ? Worry not! Cuz this novel has explicit sex scenes and they are written super well and with full detail. I know a lot of people get turned of by this so this is also a warning ? But you can always skip those chapters of you're uncomfortable. Anyways, i love some good smut in novels so if you're like me, you're gonna love this!

10) Because i said so

what more reason do you need ? Go read it now!

Carrd link : https://seizingdreams-info.carrd.co/

[ran4an]

I’m reading duomeng and I really love the way Fei Tian writes so much, I’m sure this is going to end up as a new favorite

“I would rather you stay here forever, and occupy a space here that belongs only to you”

[jammyjacketpotato]

Seizing Dreams Review

Title: Seizing Dreams 夺梦

Author: Fei Tian Ye Xiang非天夜翔

Link To Original: https://seizingdreams-info.carrd.co/

Link To Translation: https://www.chickengege.org/novels/duomeng/

Link To Carrd: https://seizingdreams-info.carrd.co/

Status: Original complete, Translation complete, extra chapters incomplete (if anyone knows where I can find translations of the extras, please tell me!)

Tags: modern fantasy/scifi, dreams, slice of life, trauma

Rating:  8.75/10

 Story Summary: When accused of a crime he did not commit, college student Yu Hao, broke and at the end of his rope attempts to take his own life. As a result, he falls into a fantastical dream where he meets his guardian, General, and takes back control of his conscious from his dark self. Upon waking in the hospital Yu Hao truly has a new look on life and the much-needed strength to fight for control of his own life. While hospitalized he meets Zhou Sheng and Fu Liqun, two other students at the school who found him before he could die from his suicide attempt and Chen Yekai, a teacher who is willing to fight the university administration for Yu Hao. Even with his new found support network Yu Hao can’t forget General and soon finds himself once again brought face to face with him in the dreamscape. This story follows Yu Hao as he falls in love, helps others through trauma, and learns the secrets to the dreamscape.

This book has some trigger warnings as it deals with deep psychological trauma. These topics include: child sexual abuse, mental abuse, physical abuse, homophobia, cults/pyramid schemes, metal illness and suicide.

 My Thoughts: This story is such a good blend between fantasy, slice of life, and psychology. The dreamscapes are fantastical and reflect the dreamer’s self in really interesting ways. The way the novel flowed between real life problems like choosing a career and paying rent and the fantasy word of the dreams was really refreshing and kept the story from ever going stale. I never felt like “lets just get through this part.”  

One of the best things about this novel was the abundance of secondary characters who were all flushed out well and had development! It makes sense, seeing as the central focus of the plot was about character development through the dreamscapes. There were four main secondary characters, and the author gives a clear picture of each of their personalities and troubles. A lot of the time with Danmei novels we are given a slew of secondary characters who lack so much personality that you can’t even remember their names. With Seizing Dreams I can remember ever name, even more minor characters.

This was not the first novel I’ve read with an openly gay main character, but this is definitely the first I’ve read that deals realistically with homophobia and sociopersonal relationships within the gay community. The main character Yu Hao, who is very introverted but has been outed by his dormmates as gay, faces homophobia regularly throughout the novel starting from his dorm mates and school consular and later Zhou Shengs father as well as others who interact with him (such as the main villains).

One of the things I really appreciated is that the homosexual characters were not straight men later bent (though Zhou Sheng sort of thinks he is) but brought together because of their similarities in sexual orientation. This is how the gay community works! When faced with a society that can’t accept a fundamental part of who you are, you gravitate towards others who are in the same boat. This should be obvious, but the trope of a group of straight men all coupling up with each other is quite predominate within the BL genre, especially in manga. Chen Yekai approaches Yu Hao because he is young gay many who just attempted suicide and he has an emotional connection to that. Ou Qiheng approaches him because he is also gay and sees a potential ally in him. His boss later on in the story when he goes to work considers him for the job because they are both gay (among other things).

I really connected with this story on a personal level too, as Yu Hao and Zhou Sheng as well as their relationship really remind me of my own relationship with my husband (who is basically Zhou Sheng incarnate). I don’t usually see myself or my personal situation reflected in the novels I read, but I really did with this one. This is also because of the way real life struggles, such as poverty and overwork and mental illness are truly explored within the novel and real barriers. I think the effects of poverty are very predominant throughout the novel, even later on when Yu Hao becomes financially stable he is still very much effected by his poor upbringing. When I first thought about it, I thought it felt a little bit Cinderella cliché for his financial troubles to go away, however when I really thought about it and how it paralleled to my adult life (living through poverty and eventually working towards middle-classdom) I think it made the most sense. Poverty is a shackle, but these characters were not shackled by other elements that tend to keep one in poverty (family obligations, disabilities, mental illness, children etc.) so their upward mobility made the most sense. I really loved how they attempted the Cinderella story in Zhou Sheng attempting to take over his father’s company, but that it eventually failed due to his fathers inability to accept his and Yu Hao’s relationship.  

My personal favorite character was Mama Zhou. She was so flawed and a drain to be around, but when Zhou Sheng comes out to her and his father she GOES TO BAT for Zhou Sheng and throws all her weight behind supporting him. Let her have a lover younger than her son and go play majong every night! She got the shit beat out of her by Zhou Sheng’s dad for years and she deserves to live her life her way.

I also want to say that the way Shi Ni’s (a young girl who Yu Hao tutors) situation and abuse is addressed within the novel is so well done. Shi Ni as a character is not used for shock value the way I often see child sexual abuse depicted, but from the perspective of a girl taking back her life after seeking help. The trial where her father’s attorney tries to mount a defense is the most sickening moment, even though it was very cut and dry and it still never makes me feel like Shi Ni is being used as a display.

I think if I were to try to pinpoint where the novel could be lacking (and I’m really trying here) I would say somewhat in the writing itself. Please don’t get me wrong, it is not bad, just not Queen Meat Bun level good. I could read through the novel without making too many head corrections, but I noticed often repeated descriptors throughout and areas where things could have been described better but in less words. This could also be somewhat a translation issue as well. It was not bad though and definitely not enough to deter me from enjoying the story.

  Characters:

Yu Hao: The main character, and one with a lot of growth throughout the series. He starts out extremely introverted and suicidal. His poverty is like a shackle around his neck that prevents him from socializing in college and his outing as gay solidifies his introverted status. After General helps him take back his dreamscape and he meets Zhou Sheng and Fu Liqun, he begins to come out of his shell and is able to explore who he really is. Once able to explore himself, he is revealed to be a thoughtful man with an interest in social problems and helping people. He also picks up skateboarding which really fits him in a weird way. His dream persona is the Arc Angel and he has the power to heal in most dreams (stemming from others perception that he had the power to heal himself when at his lowest). His weapon is his grandmother’s laundry fork which he can turn into duel knives or a staff. He can use his wings to fly.

Zhou Sheng: Is the main lead. He seems like he does what he wants without thinking and is hot headed, but he is actually an extremely intelligent and calculating person. He is a sports major because he enjoys physical activities, but doesn’t really like competition. His family life is turbulent and abusive, with divorced parents who both put a lot of pressure on him. His father is wealthy and owns a successful restaurant chain that he wants Zhou Sheng to take over and his mother wants him to have nothing to do with his father. After saving Yu Hao from his suicide attempt, he basically imprints on him and won’t let him out of his sight. He struggles throughout the first half of the novel with his feelings for Yu Hao but once he decides on it, he never waivers. SPOILER: His dream persona is General/Sun Wukong. His original weapon was his great sword, but later is Yu Hao’s totem that he gives him in the form of a Jinggubang (power pole)/shield. He also has a Jindouyun (flying cloud), which he can ride. Oh, and a dragon that represents his “urges”.

Fu Liqun: He helps Yu Hao get work study before he even really knew him because he noticed he had to drink tap water (cause he’s too poor to buy bottled water). He is Zhou Sheng’s best friend and everyone’s Gege. He is a person who seems like he has it together, but he really has no plan for the future after college and this is something that really bothers him. He is in a long-term relationship with his high school sweetheart Cen Shen, whose wealthy father does not approve of their relationship. His dream persona is a knight and his weapon is a halbert. He rides a mystical stead.

Chen Yekai: Yu Hao’s advising teacher. Chen Yekai is the first person in authority to tell Yu Hao he believes him about not stealing and helps him get through this ordeal when others within the school are trying to have him expelled. Chen Yekai gravitates towards Yu Hao because he is gay and dealing with the backlash around him, which as another gay man Chen Yekai understands. He went to college in the USA and lived there for many years with his now deceased lover. He was disowned by his family for being gay, but is very wealthy because he invested in a start up in college. He develops feelings for Yu Hao, but he never really understands what those feelings are and is very aware and respectful of his relationship with Zhou Sheng.  His dream persona is the Great Chieftain and his weapon is the scalpel he attempted to murder his former teacher with and the gun that his former lover used to kill himself. He has a serpent god that he can ride.

Ou Qiheng: A boy that Yu Hao meets when he is trying to find a boyfriend. He notices that string of cases being solved around Yu Hao and Zhou Sheng and attempts to get Yu Hao’s help to reveal the conspiracy surrounding his father’s suicide. He is still in high school, but a few months older than Yu Hao because he had to repeat his final year (I am confused about this, because he does really well in school. I am assuming it is because he must have missed so much school due to his dad’s suicide). He originally likes Yu Hao, but later hints heavily at wanting to court Chen Yekai. SPOILER: His dream persona is pilot (I actually really don’t know if I’m remembering that right and correct me if I’m wrong) and he has a Gundam that he can ride.

Hua Ting: Chen Yekais childhood friend and a police officer who helps Yu Hao with his theft case. He is very smart and notices more than people think. He is kind, but overworked and is always in a hurry and tired. After Ou Qiheng’s suicide attempt he makes sure to keep a close eye on him and becomes his Gege when they both move to Beijing. He is the only character to figure out what is going on before entering a dreamscape. His dream persona is the Arch Mage, his weapon is his magic “book of law.”

I literally could go in to all the side characters here as well, they are so well fleshed out! But that would make this waaaaay to long so I only did the Dream Warriors.

 Relationships:

Yu Hao and Zhou Sheng: They meet after Yu Hao’s suicide attempt and imprint on each other and are basically best friends from then on. Yu Hao catches feelings pretty quickly, but understands that Zhou Sheng is straight and does not pursue it and instead engages in some hilarious attempts at online dating. Zhou Sheng on the other hand struggles, but not because Yu Hao is a man, but because his own parents were so abusive towards each other he doesn’t want to get into a relationship with anyone out of fear of being like them. Once he gets over it though, he is all in and Yu Hao becomes top priority. I really appreciated that they got together less than halfway through the novel. This novel didn’t just focus on the build up to the relationship, but also on its growing pains. Zhou Sheng can be jealous, and Yu Hao can get frustrated, but they are still solid. I really appreciate the way their relationship is depicted as it feels more real and less idealized than a lot of danmei.

Yu Hao, Zhou Sheng, Fu Liqun: true sworn brothers! Even once get together, their dynamic as a trio and so good! They all support each other and are always there. I loved how when we were in the arc where Yu Hao is working himself to death as soon as Fu Liqun is in trouble he just takes leave for him. I also love how at no point do the roles within their friendship feel solid. They are to each other what they need to be at the time.

Fu Liqun and Cen Shen: They have a turbulent relationship as Cen Shen’s father does not approve. It is a major source of worry for Fu Liqun throughout the novel. They break up more than once, but it is more due to Fu Liqun’s lack of self-confidence than anything else. This relationship was a great representation of the difficulties faced by people of different socioeconomic status.

Final Thoughts: Like I said, this book really hit home personally and I really loved it. It was a great example of representation of experiences and the trauma people face through life. I would definitely recommend it for a read.  

[angieloveshua]

"Yu Hao."

Yu Hao turned around and looked at Zhou Sheng.

Zhou Sheng thought about it for awhile before he asked, "Do you want to date?"

Yu Hao's heart suddenly exploded like firecrackers bursting within an instant, and a feeling of vertigo rushed to his brain. However, Zhou Sheng's following words were, "It's a new year, go find a partner ba?"

He fucking played with my heart.

[bellaroles]

I like everything about Seizing dreams except the dreams part. I just feel not convinced by the dream manifestation of the character's fear and conflict in their mind. The way they tried to help the dream's host overcome their psychological hurdle is a great concept but the execution is too overly fantasized? Idk what is the word to use, it's a dream so of course it's supposed to be like that. But the way they talked it out and tried to solve it in reality is more believable to me.

[wanderlusted]

"I give you the devotion of a man who has never had faith."

[papermelonworking]

Autumn Moon Hangs in the Sky independent magazine, 2022

[thegoodmorningman]

You have got to get down on Friday.

[t-u-i-t-c]

"Can I... really be king?"

[im-madam-baby]

Never forget your goals and purposes for the future; keep moving forward. It's never too late to start anything. The only thing that's stopping you is yourself. While countless opportunities exist in this world, seize them without hesitation. It's okay to face rejection along the way, as a few of those rejections may lead you to better opportunities. Eventually, you may encounter an unexpected chance that could change your life. Therefore, make the most of your time and seize every opportunity that comes your way, regardless of others' opinions. If you desire it, seize it fearlessly.

[dnangelic]

i've said this before but i'm STILL thinking about dark subconsciously affirming daisuke as a human and daisuke subconsciously affirming dark as a thing by the way they separate from each other. dark consistently shouting for daisuke 'not to leave him' versus daisuke consistently shouting for others 'not to take him'

[tankgotstuckinthecircusgate]

illustrations for the insanely beautiful (or beatufully insane? idk) fic by @mwwktn !!! GO AND READ IT

some scenes may not literally correspond to the text btw once again, thank you so much for writing & sharing this fic, im eating it so hard😭🙏 link to the fic

[jammyjacketpotato]

Quick review for Seizing Dreams