ABO Novels

Miraculous Love :: 邪门的爱情出现了 by 丧心病狂的瓜皮

[ABO (A/O), romance, sexual awakening, reconciliation] -- This is one of those novels that leverage the ABO setting to explore topics like relationships, marriage, and sexuality. Late-bloomer Omega Fu Xiaoyu and recent divorcee Alpha Xu Jiale connect and build a relationship based on their intense sexual chemistry and attraction. Sex allows Fu Xiaoyu to feel loved, desirable, and unashamed of his own sexuality for the first time, but this new relationship forces Xu Jiale to confront his own misconceptions about marriage as well as the difficult reality of parenting a young child after divorce. Every Omega in this story has complicated histories and attitudes toward relationships because of society's prejudice against their gender, and every major relationship in this novel involves a divorcee, a cheater, or both. But life still goes on for them, after they learn, grow, make amends, and heal.

Why Is It Possible For This Type Of A To Also Have An O? :: 为什么这种A也能有O by 图南鲸

[ABO (A/O), transmigration, abuse recovery, political activism] -- This novel uses the ABO setting to explore gender-based oppression. A surgeon transmigrates to an ABO universe, into the body of a horribly abusive Alpha, whose partner is terrified but powerless in their oppressive society. They work hard to help each other heal from deep-seated trauma, and join the work of advocates for Omega's rights. This is the most political danmei I have ever read, that shows civil disobedience and structural changes can be good and necessary. The advocates network, organize, protest, and they get threats and pushbacks. Prejudice is systemic, generational, and almost normalized in society, and it takes a massive wave of disruptive protests to finally bring about rudimentary legislative protections for Omega. It comes too late for many and is far from any semblance of equality, but it's hope and a start.

老婆是顶级Alpha，我该怎么办 by 海藻大王

(Title roughly translates to "My Wife is a top-level Alpha, What should I do?")

[ABO (A/A), "rebirth", space/interstellar, mecha, college, political conspiracies] -- Now, for an ABO novel that just wants to have fun as a OP Mary-Sue sci-fi-ish Young-Adult Action-Adventure. The protagonist is a super-soldier reborn to the early days of his military career with skills, knowledge, and an AI assistant from the future. The love interest is a prince who is rich enough to buy entire planets. Together they become the most popular power couple at the military academy, and work together to foil a conspiracy that targets talented Alphas. They get fake-married, and later discover they are each other's secret online crush. It has plenty of humor, a cute "college" romance, and the kind of dramatic "cool" characters my teenage self would could only dream of in a wish-fulfillment fic. Save it for one of those days when you just want to relax and revel in the joy of ridiculously attractive and competent teenagers who are killing assassins, saving the empire, and acing their exams!

Actors and Celebrities

内娱第一花瓶 by 三三娘

(Title roughly tra. nslates to "Top Flower Vase of the Mainland Entertainment Industry")

[entertainment industry, film-making, reconciliation, elite society ]-- Most entertainment industry novels focus on the fun parts of glamour and fame, but this story puts the focus on the creative work, with a main couple that has marvelous chemistry as great artists who inspire each other. Over the 900K words of this novel, they meet, fall in love, bond over film-making, break up, and later reconcile. It's one of those rare stories where the shou has to chase the gong after breaking up, and you can sympathize with the hurt on both sides while understanding that no one is intentionally being scummy. The novel really goes into the details of film-making and the entertainment industry -- the styles and visions of the directors, the practice and preparation of the actors, the logistics and finances of running a crew, and the strategic calculations to manipulate the media narrative and public discourse.

I have a love-hate relationship with this novel because of some of its narrative choices. Some arcs seem to just fawn over the "wisdom" and "classiness" of the ultra-rich, and conflate privilege with virtue. (The gong, whose family of casino owners once helped him pay off hundreds of millions in gambling debt, is the one making an awarding-winning movie about a regular person succumbing to gambling addiction ... ) But to be fair, I'm holding this novel to a higher standard than a typical danmei because of how good it is and how much I like it.

Concealed and Blended: Fendai :: 粉黛 by 七世有幸

[entertainment industry, actor x makeup artist] -- This is also a story about two artists who inspire and help each other develop their crafts, but a much shorter and lighter take. The gong is a makeup artist, who considers himself straight but cross-dresses as a branding gimmick to advance his career. The shou is a retired E-sports player-turned-idol actor, who is secretly gay and has no real passion for performance. The novel starts off with funny interactions between "straight pretending to be queer" vs "gay pretending to be straight." Later, they develop a deep bond after collaborating on a series of projects, and help each other discover their true career aspirations. Despite being celebrities, the main character feel like normal people because we see them learning and practicing their professional skills. Fame is a fickle and cruel game that they must play in their profession, but does not define who they are.

Flower Vase :: 花瓶 by 困倚危楼

[entertainment industry, contract relationship, scum gong crematorium, reconciliation] -- This story is a classic in the scum gong crematorium genre. Wealthy business man gong pays actor shou for a sexual relationship; the shou is secretly in love with the gong, who is pining after a "white moonlight". The shou is smart, resilient, knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it. The gong has already started falling for him, but he hasn't moved on from his "White moonlight". Their peaceful breakup mid-story is suffocating, because they both have feelings for each other, and they almost got it to work, but the feelings are just not quite right yet, so this relationship has to end before it festers into something truly unsalvageable. But don't stress too much, the "crematorium" is so friendly it almost feels like an kiddie obstacle course the shou has set up to help them transition into a better relationship -- didn't I mention he is a very smart guy who knows how to get what he wants?

可一可再 by 反舌鸟

(The title is a reference to an Eason Chan song. I can't find an official translation of the song title, but it roughly translates to "Once and Again")

[entertainment industry, rebirth in another body, reconciliation] -- Controversial actor Jiang Yu dies in a traffic accident, and returns in the body of a D-list Idol. It's very fun to follow a POV character like Jiang Yu, whose internal monologue is dripping with pettiness, insecurity, jealousy, and adamant insistence that he is *fine* with his hard-working and well-intention-ed nature always being misunderstood in bad faith. His love interest is his foil in this: an award-winning actor with an impeccable reputation and a unflappable personality. As the story explore their histories, relationships, and grief over Jiang Yu's death, it also deconstructs these initial perceptions. In this second life, Jiang Yu gets a more measured view of his relationships and artistic legacy, while his "perfect" boyfriend faces his own flaws and the critical mistakes he has made in their relationship. With this clarity and honesty, they rekindle their relationship, and Jiang Yu starts a new life and career.

Misc. Modern

Poison of the Heart :: 心毒 初禾

[mystery/police procedural, (sort of) social commentary] -- Instead of uncovering some mastermind criminal conspiracy, this police procedural is famous for its down-to-earth cases, so realistic it sounds like it could have been in the news. Most of the cases see normal people gradually lose their best selves after suffering excessively under systemic social issues like poverty, misogyny, and prejudice. Their misfortunes, emotions, and reactions feel very realistic and relatable. However, since the discrete cases do not build up to a coherent arc, they also don't do much to support the development of the main characters -- a detective and a cybersecurity expert; they are fine but I just don't find either of them or their slow-burn romance too interesting. (Their slacker co-worker who becomes more motivated in his career has a more memorable character arc imo.) Personally, I think this novel is a good read for the mysteries, but maybe not so much as a romance or character drama.

Surrender (Book 1) :: 臣服 I by 墨奈何/墨青城

[BDSM, power differences, mob/gang drama] -- Young businessman Xu Ye, who has only dabbled with BDSM, stumbles into one of the most skilled dom's in town, who is also a mob heir. This dom finally gives Xu Ye the experience he wants from BDSM. But as their chemistry in the playroom soars, their personal and professional relationship in the real word grows more complicated. I love that this story shows the communication and work that goes into building a relationship, albeit one within BDSM parameters. The story repeatedly emphasizes that both partners are equals outside of play (but this rule is sometimes broken by the main couple for "drama"). Although Xu Ye is a sub, he has more agency than most shou's I see in danmei. He is experienced with sex, knows what he wants and likes, and is fairly independent from Chu Ye professionally and personally. He feels like a reasonable adult who has chosen a relationship that brings him joy and pleasure.

交易沦陷 by 在下小神j

(Title roughly translates to "fallen in transaction")

[romance, (sort of) prostitution, family relationships, healing and forgiveness] -- This a Haitang story with lots of humour and sex, but also a surprise tear-jerker full of heart. An Li's life has been ruined by a criminal record, taking the fall for his cheating ex-wife so she can look after their ill daughter. While desperate to find work to support his young daughter's medical treatment, he is mistaken for a male escort by young CEO Xu Shaoqing. Xu Shaoqing is angered by An Li's borderline homophobic reaction to the incident, and pressures An Li to sleep with him for money. Xu Shaoqing himself is struggling with the distress his sexuality causes his homophobic and ailing father, who has sent him to conversion therapy and still pressures him to go on dates with women. An Li and Xu Shaoqing eventually form an unlikely connection, as they help each other process the hurt caused by the people they love, and salvage the good from those relationships.

Historical

Fei Ping Ying Qiang :: 妃嫔媵嫱 by 七月侯

[male concubine, imperial harem & court drama, age gap (initially 15 vs 20)] -- As an unfavored shu son, Xiao-Qi is "gifted" by his family to his brother-in-law, a prince who is known to like men. Though he has no choice in the matter, he eventually falls in love with the Prince, who has shown him more kindness than anyone else in his life. The prince (gong) has a "realistic" and gradual shift from accepting period-typical polygamy to wanting to build a life with the one partner who really loves him, but it's a messy situation because he has already married and sired children with multiple women, and his position really requires him to have an heir. However, Xiao-Qi learns a lot and grows up with the gong's help, and together they overcome political and social obstacles for Xiao-qi to be recognized as his partner.

穿成苏培盛了 by 一渡清河

(Title roughly translates to "Transmigrated as Su Peisheng", referring to the name given to Yongzheng Emperor's senior personal eunuch in the popular cdrama "Empresses in the Palace".)

[historical transmigration, Qing Dynasty/Kangxi Era, political intrigue, prince x (real) eunuch] -- Lovers of long, complex, character-driven political novels will probably enjoy this 2-million-words epic. It's not only a battle of wits, but also a examination of personal values and emotional priorities of many well-crafted characters who live in a complex political environment, including the largest and most active female cast I have ever seen in danmei. The protagonist shou is a transmigrator, and it shows mostly through him being very mature during his younger years, and having a sense of self-worth unexpected of slaves of that era. The gong is Fourth Prince Yinzhen (future Emperor Yongzheng), and he is married with children just like in history. The main couple have a bittersweet secret relationship, yet they love each other enough to be able to live with that imperfection. The plot seriously downplayed the darker implications of the shou' role as a eunuch and slave, but their idealized romance is a much-needed relief from the intense and tightly-paced political content, which is inspired by real history.

九千岁[重生] by 绣生

(The novel title literally translates to "Nine Thousand-Years-Old", which is a title occasionally given to excessively powerful eunuchs, comparing them to royals, like emperors who are said to live to "Ten thousand years".)

[ (eventual) "double rebirth", political intrigue, prince x (fake) eunuch] -- In his first life, Crown Prince Yin Chengyu is deposed after falling for political traps, and only returns to court after making a "indecent proposal" with powerful eunuch Xue Shu. Despite working together to help Yin Chengyu win the crown and govern the nation, their relationship remains complicated and contentious until Yin Chengyu's untimely death from illness and overwork. Waking up as his younger self, Yin Chengyu immediately puts a metaphorical leash on Xue Shu's neck while the latter is still young and impressionable. While they work to strengthen Yin Chengyu's political position, the prince also tries to come to terms with his feelings for Xue Shu across the two lifetimes. Xue Shu eventually recovers his memories of the first lifetime, and their second-chance romance gets a happy ending.

A complicated main relationship, to put it mildly. The gong is a prince with a legal harem, remains intimate with them throughout his adult life until he has "enough" biological children. The shou is the gong's personal eunuch, a slave who is considered more like property than person, but also his first and closest companion and confidante. For most of the novel, they have "old married couple" vibes, completely comfortable and relaxed around each other, loving and trusting each other unconditionally. Their relationship is consensual and fulfilling, but there is an insurmountable power difference, and it needs to remain an illicit secret forever.

Rich interpersonal relationships. Every relationship in the imperial family is a careful balancing act between emotion and politics. The Emperor loves his children, but has to treat them like subjects. The princes are constantly engaged in vicious competition with each other, but everyone values the few brothers they stay on good terms with. Yinzhen tries to love and raise his children in a gentler way, unlike his own stressful childhood. Su Wei and even Yinzhen have important friends, allies, colleagues, and family outside of their romance. This world come alive with these relationships and the hopes and vulnerabilities they inspire in the characters.

Just a laundry list of characters still living in my head rent-free. Kangxi is a father and an emperor but can't be both at the same time. The Fourth Princess Consort, who is never the same after losing her child. Shiyue is trapped by her gender and social position but keeps trying to convince herself to just live with it. Consort Nian's intelligence and ambition are wasted in an "inner court". The Fourteenth Prince, trying a find a balance between his family and his own ambition. The tragedy that is the original Crown Prince, doomed to fail by history and the impossible expectations of his position. And Dezhu-gongzi, who bought the best writing brushes and kept the soup warm for his lover, becomes a raw, bleeding wound that never heals in the heart of the man he died to protect. I absolutely hate the Eighth-prince in this adaptation, but his tenacity and resilience is sort of amazing.

But on the other hand

Transmigrator Golden Thumb. Su Wei knows the general course of history, but not enough specifics to help Yinzhen too much. Instead, his modern knowledge and experiences are used to make some toys for a young Yinzhen, and starting a business empire with a hotpot chain restaurant. His business ventures take off when Yinzhen needs to lay low in politics and they need to spend some time apart, but it is an exceptionally smooth enterprise. The business "side quest" is necessary to help Su Wei maintain a sense of self away from the power hierarchies of the imperial palace, but imho it feels a bit out-of-place in the narrative.

Su Wei's status as a eunuch and a slave is heavily downplayed in most of the novel; in 80% of the text, he lives in Yinzhen's estate outside the palace and is treated with great respect as the prince's right-hand man. His business ventures are about building an identity as a respected boss and master outside of imperial affairs. Even though the royals still treat Su Wei like a servant, he believes the indignity of slavery is a state of mind that he has saved himself from. It makes the story easier to read, but I do feel like it hand waves something very dark and fundamental to the premise and setting.

Length and Pacing. The novel is nearly two million characters long -- which is twice the length of QJJ, but covers a time frame that is around 15x longer. Slow and uneventful periods get skipped over, so you need to pay attention to the "Year x of the Kangxi era, Month y" annotation for each section. I have a hard time adjusting during Yinzhen's teen years, when the character grows a lot emotionally and physically, and still get a bit of a shock every time another young prince seems to grow out of their cute kid phase to broody teenager in the blink of an eye.

Character Decay, sort of. Remember how I said there are lots of interesting female characters? Well, sadly most of them don't stay that way. With very few exceptions, they either die as interesting and memorable icons of the potential they could have had, or live long enough to become another petty and scheming harem drama stereotype. But maybe that's the point, that such an oppressive and misogynistic system will ruin even the best women trapped in it.

Overall

This story feels like an epic period drama. Su Wei and Yinzhen spends nearly a lifetime together, and their relationships is impossible to ignore, but this story is so much bigger than just the two of them. It takes a lot of time for the author to build such a rich world, and also takes time for the reader to digest it, but it's all worth it in my opinion. All this context really helps the reader appreciate how special and important the main relationship is, and it feels extra-rewarding seeing other characters we have grown to care about also get satisfactory resolutions to their stories.

And Finally, A Plot Summary

[reasonably spoiler-free, covering roughly the first half of the novel]

Su Wei, in the body of Su Peisheng, is the protagonist. But as a prince's personal eunuch, his life is almost entirely defined by serving and supporting the prince.

Fourth Prince Yinzhen's first decade of life is marked by the tension between his adopted mother Imperial Noble Consort Tonggiya and biological mother Consort De, who resents being forced to give him up. The clan of his adopted mother has little interest in maintaining a relationship after her death. His biological mother Consort De has chosen to prioritize the younger children she has raised herself, and holds back on advocating for him. Yinzhen nominally has a prestigious background but very little substantial support.

In a few years, the rivalry between the two oldest princes, the First Prince and Crown Prince, intensifies as they grow up. Powerful officials at court and consorts in the Imperial Harem subtly (or not so subtly) start taking sides. Kangxi Emperor repeatedly sidelines Yinzhen, unwilling to see him building up a power base and complicate the rivalry between the older princes at court. Yinzhen is forced to step back from politics, and only supports the Crown Prince from time to time.

At around fifteen years old, Yinzhen is given two concubines, and soon takes a primary consort. It's around this time that Yinzhen realizes his feelings for Su Wei. They move out of the palace to his estate, where they have more freedom to be together. Yinzhen becomes closer with Su Wei, and keeps a diplomatic but not very emotional relationship with the women in his harem. However, he loves the three children he has with them, and is content to keep things like this for now. (The number and fates of his children differ from history due to Su Wei's presence.)

As time passes, the Eighth Prince grows up to become a substantial competitor against the Crown Prince and First Prince. He is smart, articulate, and strategic about building alliances with younger princes and key officials. Yinzhen's only son, Honghui dies as collateral damage in a political scheme, and it becomes a key turning point in Yinzhen's life.

Yinzhen's primary consort is wrecked by the grief of losing her only biological child, and the entire household is thrown into disarray. Su Wei and Yinzhen can't bring themselves to talk openly about the whole thing, because both of them feel guilty. Their relationship have caused Yinzhen to be emotionally distant with the mothers of his children, while the children's existence continues to be a shield for their illicit affair. And it's worse because they both genuinely love those children.