This was so good and right up my alley. I love the action scenes and the politics were so well dont it wasnt overkill or boring.

Obsessed! When I first read the title, I wasn't sure what to expect. I just knew I wanted to read it because it mentions plum blossoms, which hold a lot of meaning to me. This book had me kicking my feet like a teen at certain points. The story between the YuXi and LanShan was so endearing, especially given how tender and sweet LanShan, the MMC, is to YuXi due to his nature of being intuitive and kind-natured. I cannot wait for the next book to see how their story continues!

I enjoyed the yearning from both characters, the slow burn as they grew closer, and the unspoken love between them. YuXi is such a strong FMC, and the burden and expectations she has placed upon herself is very aligned with that of most Asian children, making it easy to connect with her and understand her decisions to put others first before herself. LanShan is an unexpected MMC, imo. Although he's the Demon King, he is kind-natured, intuitive, gentle, and tender in a way that YuXi needs. In a world where she's constantly putting herself last, he challenges her, not just intellectually but also challenges her self-restraint because HOW COULD YOU NOT JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM. Honorable mention to the side characters that I absolutely adored like Woody, XiaoHong, and ZhongShen. I can't wait to read the next book!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I adored this book! Filled with action and romance, it was a very enjoyable read.

The world-building was so lush and detailed. I loved the attention the author gave to the steps required to ascend to immortality and gain more cultivation, as well as everything that implies - it was so well done! I also loved the court politics, which were incredibly entertaining, particularly within the demon realm. Seeing the distinct perspectives of each clan and the endless scheming behind every decision was fascinating, especially as it forced several demons to show their true faces. Regarding the clans, there are a lot of questions that still need to be answered, especially in the spirit realm. I have my own theories, but it is a realm that certainly intrigues me. The magical creatures were also a great addition; I absolutely loved the scene with the North Mountain Beast!

Yuxi, our main character, is very complex, but one of her best qualities is her strength. She went through so much, from the moment her tribe was punished to her time in the Heaven Realm, where she was constantly mistreated by other immortals. However, she never lost focus and always put others first, even to her own detriment. Her ultimate mission was to bring peace to everyone so past mistakes wouldn't be repeated. Even though she doesn't see herself this way, many characters share my sentiment - like the Demon Lord. He is truly the standard in every aspect! I adore this character and the way he always treats Yuxi with respect and supports her; it really shows the deep admiration he has for her. LanShan is highly intelligent but also incredibly kind, not just to his own people but to everyone, whether immortal or demon. He truly believes peace can exist between all realms, a vision he shares with Yuxi.

Their journey together, evolving from allies to friends, and then possibly into something more, was riveting. Their banter and interactions felt very honest, which I deeply appreciated. Another great detail was the mirroring effect we see once she becomes the Demon Lord's right hand, and how differently he treats her compared to how she was treated by the Heavenly Emperor. Every time we got flashbacks to the past, my heart literally ached for her. For such a strong character, she is highly compassionate and sensitive, which added another layer to Yuxi and made her even more captivating. Of course, her relationship with XiaoHong was one of a kind. Although their friendship wasn't purely honest at the beginning, over time they learned to trust each other and developed an intense bond that I feel cannot be broken. I hope we get to see more of this in the next installments, as well as the new friendship between XiaoHong and the Shadow of the Demon Lord! ;) While Yuxi found a home within the demon realm, she also has great allies in the heaven realm, whom I hope to see more of as well.

I also found the Heavenly Emperor to be a very interesting character, along with his fiancée, the future Heavenly Empress. I still don't fully trust her, though. I think there is something more to her, and with all the conflicts brewing in the Heavenly Court... hmm... I am very suspicious.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I still can't fathom the fact that I have to wait for the next installment. Especially after that ending, truly diabolical!

This review was also posted on Goodreads on August 24, 2026. Click the link provided to see the post.

A truly beautiful Chinese fantasy story filled with themes of love, duty, heartbreak and doing the right thing for others.

I raced through my ARC of this book so now having to wait for book two seems terribly unfair. But I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

YuXi is a powerful FMC and as we find out more about her background and her reasons for being Heavenly Emperor's Right Hand, it only makes the connection with her stronger. How YuXi relationship with LanShan, the Demon Lord evolves so organically is a true testament to A.A.Jaeon's powerful writing style. Other key characters like Woody, Heaven Emperor, Heaven Empress, XiaoHong and ZhongShen are well written, each with their own identity and style.
The world building and explanation of the different tribe, lands, cultivations and powers is well thought-out and adds real depth to the story as a whole.

A brilliant book that I will definitely be making sure I complete the trilogy as they are released