Translated stories I like enough to recommend. I review them so expect some spoilers (I try not to spoil major events.)
(Please read the novels on the original translator's site which can be found on novelupdates!)
Title: One Life, One Incarnation – Beautiful Bones
Type: chinese novel
Author: Mo Bao Fei Bao
Chapters: 18 + prologue + 3 epilogues
Description:
Beautiful bones. Rare in this world.
Those with bone do not have skin. Those with skin do not have bone.
Most people's eyes are shallow, seeing only the skin-deep appearance and not the 'bones,' the appearance of the inside."
The "bones" and "skin" are metaphorical and taken from an ancient text in which these are actually referring to inner and outer beauty, respectively. Most people are shallow and only see outward beauty and fail to acknowledge inner beauty.
The female lead, Shi Yi, has memories of her past life in which her heart belonged to Zhousheng Chen. That life ended in tragedy for them, and in this life, her only goal and desire is to find him again... and one day, she does. He does not look the same, but she knows that beneath the outer appearance, it is him. He, however, does not remember her.
Thoughts:
A very poetic story.
This is a very well written. I think the novel is the very definition of a slow burn since it shows small but continuous progress as the story went on.
Because FL reincarnated from the past to the future and retained most of her memories, her life circles around him, which isn't exactly healthy, but understandable.
Like she's very forgiving of his actions, which although done with good intentions, isn't really an excuse (not anything too bad tho). Still, I can understand her due to how deep her love is for him. So if you don't like a more submissive or not questioning FL, don't read this.
Meanwhile, despite ML not reincarnating, due to the environment he was raised in or smth, he feels out of place, like an ancient guy in the 21st century.
The only flaw I could think of his was how he would hide certain things from the FL.
Both leads are the calm, not impulsive type. They show their affection to each other differently, but you could still feel their love for each other. I can't describe their relationship well, just know that its very poetic. I'm not exaggerating, these two whisper chinese poems and shit on a daily basis💀
It's also new how ML is described as average (tall but forgettable) while FL a goddess.
Moving on, the climax was actually really interesting and unexpected (for me). The way their tragic past was written was also well done. Although the building of their bond was also good, I'd rank the climax a tad bit higher due to how I genuinely felt shocked reading the events.
The translator did a great job with it! She even interprets some of ML's actions during the end of a chapter, the poems, double meanings, and the sequence of events, which I appreciate.
So yeah, this is a calm, almost giving cold vibes sort of story. Like I said, it's poetic. Like an ancient story set in modern times.
Try it!
The novel has been adapted into a drama (actually two dramas) and a manhua.
The first is called One and Only, which is set in the ancient times. Since I haven't watched it, I read reviews regarding it.
Based on what I gathered, it was great! One of its strong points was the leads amazing chemistry despite not having any physical contact. Slow burn done right. The production, plot, and setting was beautiful as well. The actors was said to have properly conveyed the love they had for the other while also hiding it (though some complained about ML's actor's acting). It was not as sad as other tragic dramas, but it was definitely worth the watch.
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The second one Forever and Ever is set in the modern era. Again I haven't watched it so I read the reviews regarding it.
Based on what I gathered, the first drama is a better than the sequel. The plot revolves around the romance, but it was super slow paced. The setting was great, but the acting falls a bit in comparison, ML's acting in particular (for some). However, the chemistry was still on point. Their feelings was properly conveyed just by the gaze and body language. The closure was satisfying, a bit boring, but wholesome ending.
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The manhua's title is One Life, One Incarnation. Check out all of them if you'd like!
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