The Abandoned Child Bride is a Koi

My Thoughts on The Abandoned Child Bride is a Koi

"The Abandoned Child Bride is a Koi" promised a light and fluffy historical slice-of-life, and while it delivered on some fronts, I found myself ultimately wanting more depth. The premise is certainly appealing: a resourceful female lead uses her supposed 'Koi luck' and business acumen to rise from poverty after leaving a broken engagement. However, the execution left something to be desired.

First Impressions

Initially, I was drawn in by the prospect of a feel-good story featuring a clever protagonist. The idea of a 'poor to rich' narrative, combined with elements of cooking and farming in ancient China, seemed like a recipe for enjoyable reading. The early chapters certainly held that promise, introducing a protagonist with clear goals and a supportive male lead.

What Works Well

The novel shines in its simplicity. It's a breezy read, perfect for when you want something undemanding. I appreciated the female lead's ambition and the male lead's steadfastness. The story moves at a brisk pace, focusing on the FL's entrepreneurial endeavors and her interactions with a generally supportive new family. There's a certain satisfaction in seeing her former family lament their poor treatment of her. The writing style, while not particularly flowery, is efficient and gets straight to the point, which I found refreshing.

Areas of Concern

While the simplicity is a strength, it also contributes to the novel's weaknesses. The plot felt predictable, lacking significant twists or turns. I felt that the focus on the antagonists' misery became repetitive and detracted from the more interesting aspects of the story, like the dynamics within her new family. The romance was also underdeveloped, with the relationship between the leads feeling more transactional than passionate. Several plot threads, such as the FL's true identity as a princess, felt rushed and underdeveloped in the ending, as if the author lost steam and wanted to wrap things up quickly. It also felt like the FL was settling for the male lead because he was there, not because of deep love.

Final Verdict

"The Abandoned Child Bride is a Koi" is an okay novel for passing the time if you're in the mood for something light and undemanding. However, its lack of depth, rushed ending, and underdeveloped romance prevent it from being truly memorable. I'd recommend it if you're looking for a simple, feel-good story, but don't expect anything groundbreaking. I'd give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars.