An Appointment of a Lifetime

My Thoughts on An Appointment of a Lifetime

"An Appointment of a Lifetime" is a short, bittersweet xianxia romance that left me feeling conflicted. This complete oneshot promises tragedy and delivers, but whether that delivery satisfies depends heavily on your tolerance for certain tropes.

First Impressions

Going in, I knew this was a short story, and it definitely reads like one. The pacing is quick, and the plot is relatively simple: a woman is sent on a quest by her lover, only to return and find him gone. It's a story that aims for emotional impact through brevity, relying on the inherent sadness of the situation to resonate with the reader.

What Works Well

The concept itself is intriguing. The idea of a lover setting his partner on a path to cultivation, knowing he won't be there when she achieves it, has a certain tragic beauty. The writing is competent, and the story moves along at a brisk pace, ensuring that you won't be spending too much time on something you may not enjoy. Some readers found the ending poignant, appreciating the simplicity and the bittersweet nature of the romance. The story is relatively unique in the sense that it doesn't drag on forever, it gives you a small taste of a world and a romance and leaves you wanting more, or perhaps, satisfied with what was given.

Areas of Concern

However, the brevity also contributes to its weaknesses. I felt the emotional connection between the characters was underdeveloped. The male lead's motivations are somewhat murky, and his decision to send the female lead away instead of spending his final years with her struck me as questionable. I have to admit, I struggled to fully understand why he chose this particular course of action. It seems like a rather cruel way to handle terminal illness, especially without fully explaining his reasoning to his lover. It felt like a forced separation motivated by plot rather than character. This lack of clarity made it difficult for me to truly invest in their relationship, and I was left wondering if his actions were truly motivated by love.

Final Verdict

"An Appointment of a Lifetime" is a quick, bittersweet read that might appeal to those who enjoy tragic romance with a xianxia twist. However, the underdeveloped characters and questionable motivations might leave some readers feeling unsatisfied. While the concept is intriguing, the execution fell a bit short for me, making it a decent, but not exceptional, read.