Bookhunting: Chinese Novels

Xuanlong, Steel and Fang

Title: Xuanlong, Steel and Fang

Author: CrestFallenStar (author of Drakkon)

Source: Tapas.io or the app Tapas (if you're new to the app, type in the invite code SPIC004X when you first get it in order to receive some free coins)

Description:

Soldiers are a common theme in the war-torn empire Lihua lives in, so when her parents arrange a marriage for her to a poor soldier who has nothing to his name and nothing to offer, she isn't that surprised. A woman's job is to marry and have children, so Lihua doesn't expect much from her betrothed. However, her husband-to-be is possibly destined for greater things, and a single dream is all it takes to rise as the Xuanlong.

o o o

This is a story set in the same empire as Drakkon but 300 years later when it's at war. The main girl is not some "dungeon tiger warrior princess" (quoted from the author herself) but just a normal girl in that time place. And that's what I like about the book. For once, we get a protagonist who makes a big difference without having such a big identity. Her being normal—or at least starting off as that—doesn't mean the plot is normal, though. It's a unique sequence of events compared to what I've been reading lately, and the male lead breaks so many cliche tropes (handsome, rich, player). In fact, he's so well written that I love him even more than those cliches (and I'm guilty of liking those kinds of tropes).

This book was really amazing. The author took it down from Wattpad though so you'll have to head over to Tapas to read it. I definitely recommend trying it though because the author is writing a series of stand-alone novels for each of the seven dragon generals in the war. (Xuanlong means Black Dragon, which is Lihua's husband).

This novel is premium so the chapters are locked for coins/ink. Fortunately, it also has a 24 hour wait-or-pay system, which means you can get one free episode every day if you don't want to unlock with ink. It's a slow process but it's worth reading this book. If you're impatient, it's good to stockpile chapters by collecting your daily dose and waiting before you have a good amount to binge on. Don't let those locked chapters or the wait defer you from trying this.