I find myself experiencing a whirlwind of emotions regarding this novel, as there are aspects I truly admire and others that leave me feeling uneasy.
To begin with, the setting is a standout element. The author excels at weaving a rich tapestry of life within the imperial palace, vividly bringing its opulence and underlying tensions to life. The intricate details of courtly life, with its rituals and hierarchies, create an immersive experience that draws me into the world the characters inhabit.
One of the most commendable features of the story is Maomao as the protagonist. She is a breath of fresh air in the realm of fictional heroines. While she frequently expresses her singular passion for poisons and the science behind them, this focus does not overshadow her capacity for empathy and kindness. Her interactions with the women in the palace reveal her genuine concern for their well-being, and her refusal to cast judgment on others adds depth to her character. Maomao¡¯s cool-headedness and analytical mindset make her an exceptional investigator. When faced with mysteries, she approaches them with clarity and determination, allowing her innate curiosity to shine through.
Additionally, the consorts surrounding Maomao are crafted with care and distinctiveness. Each consort possesses a unique personality, making them memorable and easily distinguishable from one another. I appreciated the author¡¯s decision to delve into their lives, providing rich backstories and motivations.
However, I find myself at odds primarily with the character of Jinshi. While there is minimal romance in this first installment¡ªa narrative choice I actually find appealing¡ªJinshi¡¯s behavior repeatedly raised my discomfort levels throughout the reading experience. There were moments when his actions felt uncomfortably invasive, giving off an unsettling vibe that I don't believe was the author¡¯s intention for a love interest.
Furthermore, the power dynamics within their relationship significantly contribute to my discomfort. Jinshi, in his position, holds considerable authority, which exacerbates my unease as I observe Maomao¡¯s interactions with him. While I understand that this relationship dynamic reflects a certain realism of the time, it still leaves me with lingering questions about its feasibility. I don¡¯t dispute that Jinshi is a well-conceived character, though. Maomao¡¯s seemingly compliant stance toward him adds to my discomfort. Although I comprehend her motivations¡ªnavigating a tricky hierarchy and seeking to protect those she cares about¡ªthis compliance raises red flags for me regarding true mutual respect and equality in their relationship.
Looking ahead, I have some reservations based on the spoilers I've encountered. There seems to be a pattern of behavior from Jinshi that concerns me, suggesting that my dislike for him might deepen as the narrative unfolds. While I hold out hope for his character development, my expectations are decidedly low at this point.
In conclusion, I truly enjoyed the story¡¯s realism, as it grounds Maomao as a remarkably ordinary individual rather than reducing her to the archetype of a long-lost princess. This quality, combined with the vividly described world and intriguing supporting characters, makes for a compelling read, even as I wrestle with my feelings about a certain character.
J¡¯ai d¨¦couvert ce roman apr¨¨s avoir lu le manga. ? l¡¯¨¦poque je ne connaissais pas beaucoup de manga et je cherchais quelque chose de sympa ¨¤ lire. L¡¯histoire m¡¯a toute suite attir¨¦e une jeune fille apothicaire r¨¦sout des crimes et des ¨¦nigmes au palais imp¨¦rial. J¡¯ignorais ¨¤ l¡¯¨¦poque que ce manga ¨¦tait inspir¨¦ d¡¯un roman. C¡¯est une lecture tr¨¨s simple et tr¨¨s plaisante. Mais attention sous ses apparences de roman de jeunesse, l¡¯intrigue est tr¨¨s bien ficel¨¦e. Tout s¡¯imbrique ¨¤ la perfection. Je me rappelle qu¡¯¨¤ l¡¯¨¦poque ( lors de la lecture du manga) je souhaitais ardemment une romance entre Jinshi et Mao Mao, je n¡¯en suis plus totalement convaincue notamment parce que Mao Mao souhaite une existence paisible et d¡¯avoir le loisir de s¡¯occuper de ses poisons alors que la vie de Jinshi est ¨¤ la cour je suis curieuse de voir l¡¯¨¦volution de leur relation. Je recommande ce roman aux fans du mang et ¨¤ toutes personnes qui aiment la litt¨¦rature de jeunesse.
I enjoyed everything about this light novel (and also the anime). One of the novel's standout features is its expertly crafted plot. And of course, the protagonist, Maomao¡ªah, her sharp intellect or keen observational skills made her an unforgetable character to me. Her witty and often sardonic dialogue not only adds humor to the story but also provides insight into the world around her. I absolutely loved her character.
I watched the anime and didn¡¯t plan to dive into the light novels so soon, but here we are. Perks of being a mood reader, I suppose!
??¡¤ ?????? Maomao is such a delightful protagonist. Withdrawn and reticent by nature, she¡¯s a woman of few words who prefers to observe in silence. She rarely displays emotion¡ªher face remains impassive even if a tempest brews in her heart. Her nonchalant attitude completely stole my heart. With insatiable curiosity, Maomao has become exceptionally well-versed in the art of poisons¡ªso much so that she often tests them on herself. She¡¯s the very definition of a mad scientist, going as far as inflicting burns on herself to assess her medicines¡¯ efficacy.
Brownie points for dedication...?
??¡¤ ?????? The setting, inspired by ancient China, carries its fair share of infuriating sexism. Through Maomao¡¯s nonjudgmental eyes, we glimpse the injustices endured by the women of the inner palace, uncovering complex schemes and relationships. Despite being vastly different from most of the women she interacts with (burning herself and eating poison, for one), Maomao neither judges nor shames them. Instead, she observes their circumstances, reflects on their difficult choices, and helps however she can within the confines of her powerless role as a servant girl.
Though not warm or outwardly expressive, Maomao has a soft heart and a deep sense of justice. She¡¯s pragmatic¡ªshe won¡¯t endanger herself recklessly¡ªbut she does what she can to ease others¡¯ burdens, offering mercy when possible, withholding information that might cause harm, and treading carefully in a world where missteps are often fatal.
I could talk about Maomao for days honestly, but now let¡¯s move on to Jinshi, the male lead.
??¡¤ ?????? Jinshi is described as an ethereal, heavenly beauty with a honeyed voice and a saccharine smile. While Maomao is plain by comparison, Jinshi captivates nearly everyone he meets¡ªhis beauty is a weapon he wields skillfully. One smile can leave women of all ages flustered, though his pretty privilege sometimes leaves him feeling empty. So, of course, when Maomao¡ªa poker-faced apothecary¡ªappears immune to his charms (she looks at him as if he¡¯s a worm, no less), he is utterly fascinated. For every nasty look she shoots him, a flower of love blooms somewhere among his braincells and a butterfly takes flight in his stomach. And yes, her indifference is genuine.
??¡¤ ?????? Despite their amusing dynamic, Maomao is acutely aware of the power imbalance between them. Jinshi is of much higher status, and she knows her survival hinges on obeying his orders. In one poignant scene, she asks him:
¡°If I were to offend a noble someday, and you were tasked with my execution, could you use poison to do it?¡±
Jinshi is unsettled, realizing that while he enjoys being around her, she views their relationship in starkly practical terms. To her, the reality of his authority¡ªhis ability to end her life on a whim¡ªovershadows any personal connection. It¡¯s a sobering reminder of the societal divide that keeps her at a distance, unable to fully trust or open up to him. And let me tell you, he's tortured by it, especially once he starts getting feelings.
That said, I¡¯m eager to see how their relationship evolves from here!
4,5* because this little treasure swiftly pulled me out of a reading slump ?
Oh guys, I've had so much fun, so much! This is a light novel and I've never read the manga version or watched the anime, so I can't compare, but immediately I'm in love. Great main and side characters? Check. Political intrigue set in ancient China, Imperial court? Check. Main female character solving mysteries? Check. Slowburn fucking romance?? CHECK!
I honestly spent most of the book going "hihiHIIIhihi ?" which - creepy, especially from me ? But...pretty indicative of my enjoyment, you know?
Maomao, an apothecary's daughter, was abducted and sold to the Imperial Palace to work as a serving girl. And she's not impressed. Jesus I love this girl. She's coldbloodedly logical, reticent, dedicated, curious to a fault (she simply can't resist a mystery). She's like a female Sherlock of medicine and poison, a mad scientist. Has zero tolerance for stupidity. And despite all that, she has a soft core and she's not without empathy. I'm genuinely in love with her, she's exactly my kind of character!
Jinshi is an ethereal beautiful eunuch, practically running the part of the Palace Maomao works in. Gorgeous, intelligent, cunning. He's also a fucking BRAT ? At times, he's turning into a pouty, petulant child and it's absolutely hilarious to see. It's clear he's already kinda gone on Maomao, in the way he loves pulling her pigtails and dropping his perfectly poised mask around her.
"She wasn't the only one who showed no special desire for him, but she was the first to regard him as though she were looking at a worm. She seemed to think she hid it well, but the disdain was clear on her face. Jinshi smiled in spite of himself. That smile, like nectar from heaven, some said, contained just a hint of something mean in it. He wasn't a masochist as such, but he found the girl's reaction intriguing. He felt like a child with a brand-new toy."
THIS, this is the kind of dynamic I crave between the MCs at the beginning, you don't understand how much it makes me giggle and kick my feet ?
If slowburn isn't your thing and you expect the romance to start developing immediately, steer clear of this series. Because this is exactly what I expect from a slowburn series, the "barely a fleeting touch treated by contempt by the MC" kind of slow ? No wonder I'm always disappointed by most romances where the characters are kissing by the 50% mark!
Maomao and Jinshi weren't the only interesting characters, I enjoyed most of them and can't wait to meet more! Consort Gyokuyou and Gaoshun are my favorites right now ? And I'm hoping we haven't seen the last of Ah-Duo!
The writing can be a tad bit repetitive, especially regarding Jinshi and the constant description of his ethereal beauty from heaven. Nevertheless, it seemed to me to be written in a tongue-in-cheek way, unlike the description often used in FM romances of the manly alpha tall muscular did I mention manly guys.
I think I'm going to pace myself with this series, it's 13 books (so far, or done??) and while that's a bit intimidating, the books are short, and at least I'm guaranteed enjoyment for a long time ??
Pleasantly surprised that this was so good, especially after the first light novel I read ... wasn't.
This was much better written, had a likeable and relatable character (not always necessary), and a fascinating setting. It's also a bit more mature as the story centers around consorts, eunuchs, and the red light district at times.
The main character, Maomao, is an apothecary who was kidnapped and forced to work in the palace as a servant. She's very smart and perceptive, but doesn't want to be noticed or bothered. She often can't help herself though, and it's revealed that she knows and sees more than appearances would let on, as she's forced to help solve mysteries about various illnesses and circumstances that only an apothecary would have knowledge of.
The only thing I worry about with this series is that it could start feeling a bit formulaic. Something strange would happen to a person and Maomao would quickly figure out what was going on. She would have just the specific knowledge to be able to solve things and tie up the story neatly. There were some twists and turns, and there were some story threads that were woven throughout the novel that were clever and not just convenient, but I do worry that this sort of thing will continue throughout the series. It also felt at times like this was a collection of short mysteries rather than a full novel, but this is just the first book so it's possible this was more setting up the world and characters with these mystery vignettes.
I enjoyed this, a lot. I especially liked the tension between Maomao and Jinshi and I'm eager to see where their relationship goes. The mysteries were interesting and I just loved the overall setting and time period. A nice find, and something I think cozy mystery fans would enjoy too.
I had no business enjoying this series sm to a point wherein I caught up within 2 days and my assignments n hws took the backseat in my list of life priorities
Bien que tr¨¨s enthousiaste concernant la sortie de ce premier tome, j¡¯avais peur de m¡¯ennuyer (lisant d¨¦j¨¤ le manga), mais¡ pas du tout?! Au contraire, cette lecture fut une tr¨¨s belle re d¨¦couverte et en tournant la derni¨¨re page, je n¡¯ai eu qu¡¯une envie : lire la suite.
Le texte est tr¨¨s bon, la plume de Natsu Hyuuga sait tenir ses lectrices et lecteurs en haleine, et ce, du d¨¦but jusqu¡¯¨¤ la fin. Il a su cr¨¦er un univers addictif avec des personnages bien travaill¨¦s et terriblement attachants (en plus de Mao Mao, Jinshi et Gaoshun) comme les diff¨¦rentes concubines, les protagonistes du Palais vert-de-gris du quartier des plaisirs) ou bien encore certains soldats. Bref. Je me suis r¨¦gal¨¦e avec ce premier tome qui combine les deux premi¨¨res light novels en japonais. Les ¨¦ditions Lumen ont fait un superbe travail.
Le petit plus, ce sont bien ¨¦videmment les illustrations noir et blanc de Touko Shino qui jalonnent le roman ainsi que les couleurs en fin qui termine ce premier tome en apoth¨¦ose.
Si comme moi vous aimez le manga, je vous le recommande chaudement. Si vous voulez d¨¦couvrir un univers passionnant m¨¦langeant fantasy historique dans une Chine fantasm¨¦e avec du cosy mystery, n¡¯attendez plus?!
Good translation, recommended. Find it on novelupdates. The basic gist is that a girl, (not reincarnated nor transmigrated), is a very good herbalist. Over the course of books, she begins to aim to become a doctor and solves mysteries every arc. Somewhat realistic, yet it's extremely fun to read. Once again, recommended.
So, read it.
Read it!!! If you're here for romance, don't worry, although it starts in the later arcs, the beginning arcs are also very sweet yet mysterious too. Come on, read it~
This is my first time reading a "light novel" that was serialized online (as a Web Novel). One of my oldest friends recommended this to me and her selling line was "makes you forget tiredness of the day" and so I gave it a shot.
Its quite pleasant, a little predictable, the main character is definitely "not like other girls" but the charisma, talent and the setting - all works. It works in the author's favor as they make the protagonist stand out where it is easy to get lost. Among the politics of hand maidens, concubines and palace politics creeping into inner court, our protagonist shines and rises.
Its a pretty cute chill book to read after a tiring and a trying day.
A sassy gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss main character who is a genius and brave investigator goes through life and poisons in the harem of an emperor as her pathetically-in-love malewife chases after her. That¡¯s it, that¡¯s the book.
And I loved every minute of it.
I might be biased because I started the anime first, became hyper-fixated on it so much so that I needed to up the dose, so I started the manga, only to drop to focus on the primary source which are these novels. I know I¡¯m talking life, it¡¯s some sort of a drug, and it is. I¡¯m hooked.
I got into these novels expecting something good enough to get through, since the stories here are way more ahead of the anime so I was genuinely surprised when I couldn¡¯t drop it. The writing style is very simple and the translator did a fantastic job so that it flows so easily.
Now as I mentioned previously, I finished the anime first which roughly covers the first four light novels. So I walked into this mystery book knowing full well how they all ended and I was still entertained? I was so intrigued even when I knew what was going on down to every detail. It¡¯s honestly so impressive. And I was honestly surprised how the anime was obsessively loyal to the source material too. Literal scenes were taken from the book down to the dot and barely anything was left out.
I must add that it¡¯s not as hilarious as the show since they are different mediums and the anime gets to use chibis, effects and cuts to make it funny and the book can¡¯t deliver that with mere words. But it¡¯s not the book's fault. If anything, it¡¯s the anime's fault for making a mystery series about a poison taster this hilarious. (If you watch anime, do start it. The English voice actor for the secondary character and future love interest Jinshi is the one who also voiced Satoru Gojo.)
I¡¯ve grown to love every character in this but the main character Maomao must be my favorite. She could even be one of my favorite heroines of all time. She is literallly the poison-obsessed Sherlock Holmes of that world. She is batshit insane with a soft heart. Everyone in the book community has heard about Jude Duarte from The Cruel Prince, who poisoned herself to be immune to them. Maomao carries it to a whole new level. Not only is she immune to all of the poisons that a human can possibly be immune to, but she also tests different kinds of poisons on herself to find a possible cure for them. Her left arm is bandaged up all the time because it¡¯s full of scars due to her experiments. Her father calls her a mad scientist. Not only this but she loves poisons. She tries to poison herself just because she loves the sensation. She gets sad when she is forced to throw up poison. Maomao is a different weird and I¡¯m here for it.
As for Jinshi, I love him but only because I got to know him more due to anime. I fully understand why Maomao despises him in this book. I, for one, love a man who chases and yearns but I also understand how the unwanted attention of someone can make you go a little homicidal. He is a deep character who is obviously tormented by many things but hides them behind a honeyed smile as Maomao puts it. We are yet to see and learn more about him but I like him nonetheless.
About these two¡ Jinshi falls in love with the smart and witty Maomao who hates his guts which is to be expected since she is fantastic. Maomao claims she hates everything about him but she goes around obsessively talking about how beautiful he is. Like it is established that he is objectively fantastic looking but damn girl you don¡¯t have to talk about for pages after your every interaction. I¡¯m not even joking, she literally talks about his beauty EVERY TIME. So much so that I thought it was a bit repetitive, but I¡¯ve seen him in the anime so I get it. I¡¯d also like to point out that, yes him being handsome is a known canon fact but she even thinks his voice is, and I quote, heavily which is not canon, just her opinion. I do know for a fact that these books showcase the slowest-burn known to mankind but I¡¯m actually excited to see how the relationship between these two will develop. Provided I don¡¯t kill myself due to how torturous this is.
So all and all I am in love and these books are great and I don¡¯t see myself stopping anytime soon and I encourage everyone to give this book a shot.
I just love this series, it touches on some truly dark topics, and despite the historical aspect of this series it doesn't sugarcoat it or make it seem morally okay (even for the time).
I loved this! I read the manga so the start was very in line with that but it expanded and diverged a bit after those first couple arcs in its own right.
I love Maomao even more in this version because you can feel her intensity even more. I love her character and just how unabashedly Extra she is. ???? The multiple perspectives is also much stronger here than the manga, and it really benefits from that added depth and flavor. I had trouble keeping a few of the secondary characters straight the first time through the manga but they all are much more vibrant here, naturally due to the format and having more room to breath and grow.
So I think if you like the manga and are on the fence definitely give this a read! If you've never heard of the manga, but the premise seems interesting, definitely give this a read! ? Maomao is more hilarious and delightful than one might even predict from the summary, and the mysteries themselves are compelling and interesting. It's a fun read!
In a rare turn of events, I do think I may like the pacing of the manga better than this, the novel it's based on. On the other hand, this gives us much more of an idea of what's going on in Jinshi's head (and who he is, which I had 3/4 figured out, which means that I very much appreciated the late-breaking plot twist) while making Maomao no less strong, but perhaps a bit more human. The ways that the short mysteries Maomao solves intertwine is a particular strength here and I'm very much looking forward to finding out what happens after a very interesting epilogue.
Probably more like a 3.5, but I'll give it the four for tricking me with that plot twist.
I was initially reluctant to get into this series - it is currently at 15 volumes and still ongoing which I find more than a little intimidating. After some probing from a friend, though, I decided to give it a try. This first volume feels very much like an introduction book - I absolutely loved the Forbidden City (inspired?) setting with the mixture of slice of life and mystery. Moamao makes for a great main character and I can see why she is so well loved. Equally though, I really liked Jinshi and his dynamics with Maomao. I imagine it's going to be a long and slow path but I can definitely see them turning into a favourite couple.
As I mentioned, this felt more like an introduction where we get to know the characters and setting and I didn't feel as though all that much plot happened yet. There are a couple of small mysteries which also partially add to the bigger picture and gives an idea of where this series is headed. Despite little going on, I do think it sets the stage really well and leaves on an interesting note that makes me really look forward to what happens next.
This was a decent read, but Jesus Christ, this is volume 1 of 15. I'm not sure that I really care to pursue this any further. Several people have told me they really like the anime, and in fairness I think the story does lend itself more to a TV show than a book with how episodic it is. You can tell it was published as an online serial by how disjointed each chapter feels from one another, and I think a TV show is more forgiving than a compiled novel in that regard. I don't know, after reading Sword of Kaigen, I think I'm just not thrilled to once again read a book with all the beats of an anime--some things just work better with a visual medium, and that's fine.
This regroups the 1st and 2nd light novels of The Apotehcary Diaries, and what can I say? I adored it.
Mao Mao is witty, intelligent, cute in a weird way. Circumstances lead her to land at the Imperial Court, where her extensive knowledge of poisons, chemical reactions and medicine will catch the eye of mysterious and gorgeous Jinshi, and to become the food tester to one of the Emperor¡¯s favorite concubines. We follow her every day life at court and her former home, as she solves mystery after mystery.
This book covers S1 of the anime and from what I could tell, up to the first half of volume 8 of the manga by Itsuki Nanao and Nekokurage, which I would say are very good and faithful adaptations of the original work.
Even if you've seen the anime or read thr manga, it¡¯s definitely worth looking into it. The light novels are slightly more detailed and allow a better glimpse into the mindest of some of the characters.
It was a very easy and funny read. I also enjoyed the illustrations included in the book (some black and white throughout the novel, and a set of colour illustrations at the end.)
Tr¨¨s redondant si vous avez d¨¦j¨¤ lu les mangas puisqu¡¯il n¡¯y a aucune diff¨¦rence. Pour ma part ?a m¡¯a fait plaisir de relire l¡¯histoire car je voulais me rem¨¦morer certaines choses avant de continuer le manga !
Si vous ne connaissez pas l¡¯histoire et que vous n¡¯¨ºtes pas attir¨¦ par le genre manga, lancez-vous dans le roman ! C¡¯est une super ambiance ¨¤ la cour imp¨¦riale, avec une h¨¦ro?ne un brin rev¨ºche mais attachante. Les intrigues sont vraiment sympa m¨ºme si on peut reprocher parfois le simple aspect de tranche de vie. Il y a tout de m¨ºme pas mal de myst¨¨res et de secrets qui pourraient vous intriguer ?
i really enjoyed the anime but for some reason i just couldn¡¯t get into this light novel :/ i think i might just switch to the manga instead because i am really curious to see more of maomao & jinshi as they get up to all kinds of chaos together