Desperation breeds honesty and so volume three of “Stars of Chaos” opens with Chang Geng ardently kissing Gu Yun on the ramparts of the city in the heat of battle. Un their first kiss, there is no deniability anymore, which does rather complicate matters as the book unfolds. “Submitting to a momentary impulse was easy, but dealing with the aftermath was an entirely different matter” (p. 55).

This third volume in the series opens in the middle of a battle, where Cheng Geng and Yu Gun are fighting to defend the city from western invaders. Indeed, the majority of the plot is devoted to the machinations of the court trying to defend itself from these foreigners. As Prince Yan, Chang Geng, proves to be an excellent politician and strategist while secretly dealing with the effects of the wu’ergu poison whose origins are explained in gruesome detail in chapter 70.

The steampunk elements of this historical fantasy world have become normalized by now so the violet gold and mechanical weaponry seem perfectly natural by now. These technological elements balance out the supernatural poisoning that afflicts Chang Geng and which threatens his sanity if he loses control. So even though the machinery seems to dominate the setting, it is really only the backdrop for the complicated relationship of the main couple.

This book sees them confess their feelings as well as act on them without the excuse of alcohol or battle. However, it is not plain sailing, because both of them have their inner demons and are also plagued with emotional insecurity. Gu Yun now admits the true nature of his feelings when he thinks that, “From now on, this person is mine” (p. 157) and there are plenty of scenes where Shen Yi is a third wheel, because they feel no need to hide their relationship in front of him. Chang Geng has been open about his feelings all along and it sounds very intimate when he calls Gu Yun “Zixi” which is his courtesy name. The shift in name signals a shift in the status of their relationship.

It is, however, by no means a walk in the park, because they are both vulnerable characters whose inner turmoil makes their relationship tricky. They trust each other, but they bicker and misunderstand each other constantly. In that respect the bumpiness of their relationship is fairly realistic, because life does not suddenly become uncomplicated just because your partner has reciprocated your love. So much of the book sees them teeter between saccharine love and brutal honesty. This becomes increasingly clear as the book comes to a close, because the jade flute is wielded as an instrument of punishment even though it is a symbol of Chang Geng’s love for Gu Yun. It is both in Gu Yun’s hands, because he uses it to try to make Chang Geng respect himself more. It is more than a little sad that Chang Geng truly does not know his own worth and needs someone to make him see sense. “Zixi, in all my life, I’ve never been able to treasure anything else; it was all you. If you would take this from me, you may as well tell me how to die and I’ll go at once” (p. 381). The scene is upsetting, though, because Chang Geng misreads the situation and thinks that Gu Yun is withdrawing his love while in fact the exact opposite is the case.

The book ends with the nation in peril and their relationship hanging in the balance …danmei14 s2 comments Brigi796 81

How am I supposed to survive until September when the next volume is out?

Gu Yun and Chang Geng are so cute. I'm not sure I understood all the convoluted politics and scheming, but these two make the story for me. :') They're so sweet, though Chang Geng can be such a brat. Maybe silly, but my favourite scene was Gu Yun hitting Chang Geng's palm with his jade flute, to warn him about the dangers of his future plans and to always keep the wellbeing of the nation and his good name in mind. chinese-lit historical-fiction lgbtqa ...more13 s4 comments Izabella 🪐123 16

Some reunions feel instantaneous, while others seem to have taken a lifetime. Two people who had parted in anger or who had a strained relationship would feel that they had been separated for a mere blink of an eye. But for two who had parted with so many uncertain truths yet unraveled and lingering, with ambiguous feelings between them—those separations felt they had lasted an entire lifetime.

I was not prepared to eat my words since my last review. I wholeheartedly and with confidence thought that Gu Yun would not reciprocate Chang Geng’s feelings or attraction for at least another whole book. BUT?! CHANGGU KISSED?! THEY HAVE DONE THE NASTY?! THEY ARE SICKENINGLY ADORABLE TOGETHER?! ALL IN JUST THE THIRD VOLUME?!

This time was different from the farewell kiss they shared at the capital ramparts; it lacked the intensity of desperation. Gu Yun felt as though a corner of his heart had collapsed, offering up the softest spot in his chest. From now on, this person is mine.

I swear I didn’t have a moment to breathe since the complete 180 of Gu Yun of the last book and Gu Yun of this book but you know what? I’m not complaining. Though I think all my fellow readers know that the main couple being together?? And seemingly happy?? Still only halfway through the series?? That spells coming ?angst? to come. And I am ready and willing.

But when it had truly come down to it, Chang Geng had appeared out of thin air and, with a slap of his hand, sent Gu Yun's plans spinning away from their original trajectory. Gu Yun couldn't help but indulge in wild fantasies and yearn for more—after wearing himself down for the sake of the nation, he wanted to give what remained of his hale and hearty years to Chang Geng.

The way I was giggling a gremlin bouncing off the walls during this book. This volume was 50% convoluted scheming and politics that had my poor dumb brain fried, and 50% Changgu being the most adorable and chaotic pair. And I ate that shit up.

"My esteemed doctor, don't tell me you faint at the sight of blood."

Chang Geng was as stiff as an iron rod. "I faint at the sight of your blood."

Not to mention how absolutely different Chang Geng is from that stubborn little teenager of the first book. Before my very eyes he’s turned into a cunning manipulative little schemer and I support that. I support Chang Geng’s rights, but most importantly, I support Chang Geng’s wrongs. And after all his little scheming I get the feeling that the results are all for a certain someone…

”Do you trust me? Zixi, as long as you say the word, I will climb any mountain of swords and wade through any sea of flames."

And in this volume, more and more secrets being revealed between the two?? Yes please. The plot is hurtling by at a rapid pace but it is also fascinating to behold. And my beloved Shen Yi seems to be caught up in his own plot? As long as my husband gets more scenes I’m down (also Chen Qingxu x Shen Yi. Am I right or am I right?) And Shen Yi’s nightmare of third wheeling Changgu coming out in full force. I don’t know how I’m gonna wait for the fourth volume <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewdanmei12 s2 comments Stacie Adams184 3

I'm still trying to process everything that happened between Chang Geng and Gu Yun in this volume. I'm excited yet so worried for both of them (the Yifu aspect of this story has me
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