A wild ride! But I really appreciate the world building. The supernatural element was really integrated into the story and the author also did a good job dropping hints here and there throughout the earlier chapters. The side quests of the main characters were fun, comedic, and just fully enjoyable. It has its lovely and sad moments, but it did its best to stay cohesive to the characters' motivations and relationship development.
I loved Yoo-min's backstory the most. It's tragic and bittersweet and all the more reason you root for his character. The main characters' backstories are also fleshed out and the detailed flashbacks helped in pulling you in the angst, making you wish for their happiness. I actually also appreciate how the story didn't romanticize the things happening in the underworld (iykwim) because let's be real, the thing with yoo-min and yeom-ra was never gonna work out. Im glad that ended the way it did (that was the only logical route for them i think).
Something the story struggled with, however, was not being able to make the most out of the hinted consequences or sub-arcs of the chracters. One I can mention on the spot was the build up for Beom-jin's powers unleashing. I know it could had been because of his and yoon-jae's bond that it didn't go that route, but with the way it was framed prior to the resolution, it felt like the author threw this part of the plot out of the way and hoped no one would notice. This also goes the same for the cat/tiger's character (amidst everything, he didn't feel as important as the earlier chapters made him out to be). Another thing, I was wondering what the point of Yoo-min counting his strikes in the final battle. There were no previous mentions of it prior to the fight, so it feels random, not having any connection between his and yeom-ra's relationship. Some may think otherwise, but Sol-Byo's part of the story felt conveniently added. Based on the myth and what happened with the lady boss, it's unlikely he'd extend help (also how did lady boss know where to find him when she was turned away at the gate). I also cannot piece together the timeline of the three's past. Like, if the flowers were taken right after the two celestial kings' competition, why was yeom-ra already in the underworld being raised by dae-byol? If he got older before the flowers were taken underground, the timeline of the myth doesn't make any sense. Anyways, all of these inconsistencies combined resulted in an anti-climactic resolution.
Thinking back, although the side story was cute, it might have been better to show a bit more of the other characters. I was more curious of Dae-byol and wanted a resolution for Yoo-min's guilt for "taking" the role of Yoon-jae's brother, since it didn't seem like he the latter was the reincarnation of yoon.
In summary, it was a worthwhile read even with some of its plot holes. It promises a rollercoaster of emotions and it will give you just that.
A wild ride! But I really appreciate the world building. The supernatural element was really integrated into the story and the author also did a good job dropping hints here and there throughout the earlier chapters. The side quests of the main characters were fun, comedic, and just fully enjoyable. It has its lovely and sad moments, but it did its best to stay cohesive to the characters' motivations and relationship development.
I loved Yoo-min's backstory the most. It's tragic and bittersweet and all the more reason you root for his character. The main characters' backstories are also fleshed out and the detailed flashbacks helped in pulling you in the angst, making you wish for their happiness. I actually also appreciate how the story didn't romanticize the things happening in the underworld (iykwim) because let's be real, the thing with yoo-min and yeom-ra was never gonna work out. Im glad that ended the way it did (that was the only logical route for them i think).
Something the story struggled with, however, was not being able to make the most out of the hinted consequences or sub-arcs of the chracters. One I can mention on the spot was the build up for Beom-jin's powers unleashing. I know it could had been because of his and yoon-jae's bond that it didn't go that route, but with the way it was framed prior to the resolution, it felt like the author threw this part of the plot out of the way and hoped no one would notice. This also goes the same for the cat/tiger's character (amidst everything, he didn't feel as important as the earlier chapters made him out to be). Another thing, I was wondering what the point of Yoo-min counting his strikes in the final battle. There were no previous mentions of it prior to the fight, so it feels random, not having any connection between his and yeom-ra's relationship. Some may think otherwise, but Sol-Byo's part of the story felt conveniently added. Based on the myth and what happened with the lady boss, it's unlikely he'd extend help (also how did lady boss know where to find him when she was turned away at the gate). I also cannot piece together the timeline of the three's past. Like, if the flowers were taken right after the two celestial kings' competition, why was yeom-ra already in the underworld being raised by dae-byol? If he got older before the flowers were taken underground, the timeline of the myth doesn't make any sense. Anyways, all of these inconsistencies combined resulted in an anti-climactic resolution.
Thinking back, although the side story was cute, it might have been better to show a bit more of the other characters. I was more curious of Dae-byol and wanted a resolution for Yoo-min's guilt for "taking" the role of Yoon-jae's brother, since it didn't seem like he the latter was the reincarnation of yoon.
In summary, it was a worthwhile read even with some of its plot holes. It promises a rollercoaster of emotions and it will give you just that.