About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the weight of past mistakes or searching for stories that explore unwavering loyalty and the complexities of moral gray areas. This epic high fantasy follows Xie Lian, a once-revered prince and fallen god who ascends to heaven for the third time, only to be tasked with solving eerie mysteries in the mortal realm. Through his journey, he reconnects with a mysterious, powerful ghost king who has been watching over him for centuries. The story emphasizes resilience, the importance of staying kind despite being mistreated, and the beauty of a bond that transcends life and death. While it contains intense action and some horror elements, it is ultimately a story about the strength found in humility and the power of being truly seen by another person.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The book contains visceral descriptions of body horror, specifically the 'Human Face Disease' which involves horrific facial growths on the body. There are also scenes of self-sacrifice and intense social humiliation that may be emotionally taxing for sensitive readers. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the concept of meritocracy in a celestial hierarchy. There may also be questions regarding the depiction of corporal punishment and torture in the character's backstory.
Ideal Reader
A high schooler who loves intricate world-building and folklore-inspired fantasy, specifically those who enjoy 'slow-burn' relationships and protagonists who maintain their integrity through immense suffering.
Parent Prep
Preview the first few chapters to get a sense of the blend between humor and dark imagery. The 'Ghost Bridegroom' arc (early in the book) sets the tone for the level of violence and supernatural horror to expect. A parent might notice their child staying up late to finish 'just one more chapter' of this 500-page tome, or perhaps their teen becoming deeply invested in the high-stakes emotional cliffhangers that punctuate the end of each volume.
Age Experience
Younger teens (14-15) will likely focus on the mystery and the budding romance. Older teens (17-18) will better appreciate the political intrigue and the philosophical questions about what it means to be a 'hero' in a failing society.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Western fantasies, this story treats divinity not as a moral absolute, but as a job title, exploring the deep human flaws of the 'divine' by drawing from Taoist mythology and Xianxia traditions.
Read plot summary
Xie Lian, the former Crown Prince of Xianle, has ascended to godhood for the third time, but he is now a laughingstock with zero followers. To pay back his debts to the heavens, he descends to the mortal world to investigate a series of disappearances involving a mysterious ghost bridegroom. Along the way, he encounters San Lang, a brilliant young man who knows far more than he lets on. The narrative weaves between current celestial politics and Xie Lian's tragic past.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Xie Lian says, 'To me, the one basking in infinite glory is you; the one fallen from grace is also you.' What does this say about how he views people's worth?
2
How does the way the other gods treat Xie Lian reflect the social structures in our own world?
3
Xie Lian chose to descend to the mortal world to help his people even though it was against the rules. When is it okay to break the rules to do what you think is right?
4
San Lang seems to know a lot about Xie Lian's past. How does his knowledge change the way he treats Xie Lian compared to the other characters?
5
The concept of 'luck' is a major part of Xie Lian's identity in this book. Do you think his 'bad luck' is actually a curse, or just a result of the choices he made?
