Mr Xie And His Cat

My Thoughts on Mr Xie And His Cat

"Mr Xie And His Cat" promised a fluffy romance with a supernatural twist, and while it delivered on some fronts, it also stumbled in others. As a whole, I found it a decent, quick read, but certainly not without its flaws.

First Impressions

The initial premise is undeniably charming: a cat demon actor, Ji Qinghuai, finds himself in his feline form and is taken in by the cold and mysterious Mr. Xie. The early chapters focusing on their interactions as cat and owner were cute, though I felt they could have been explored a bit more. I was immediately interested to see how their relationship would develop once Ji Qinghuai returned to his human form.

What Works Well

The dynamic between Ji Qinghuai and Xie Yan is definitely a highlight. Ji Qinghuai, despite being a powerful demon, has an adorkable charm that makes him incredibly endearing. His single-minded pursuit of Mr. Xie, even after discovering his true nature, is both funny and heartwarming. Many readers seem to enjoy the reversal of typical roles, with Ji Qinghuai being the proactive "gong" and Xie Yan the seemingly aloof "shou". The comedic elements are well-placed, and the story overall doesn't take itself too seriously, making it a lighthearted escape. The novel is really short, which is great for avoiding tedious unnecessary plot.

Areas of Concern

The pacing is a significant issue. The initial "cat raising" period feels rushed, and the later parts of the story suffer from information overload. New characters and plot points are introduced abruptly, leaving little time for proper development. This is particularly noticeable towards the end, where major conflicts are resolved too quickly. I also felt that the world-building could have been more fleshed out. The coexistence of demons and humans, and the details of the demon world, are only superficially explored. The villain also comes in very late, making the ending feel rushed and anti-climactic. The characters are also a bit of a hit or miss, it's hard to empathize with them.

Final Verdict

"Mr Xie And His Cat" is a mixed bag. It's a cute and fluffy read with an engaging premise and charming characters, but the pacing issues and lack of world-building hold it back from being truly great. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something light and easy to read, but don't expect a deeply complex or well-developed story.