The Devilish Immortal

My Thoughts on The Devilish Immortal

Alright, let's dive into "The Devilish Immortal." I went in with pretty standard expectations for a xuanhuan novel—some action, a bit of romance, and a protagonist who eventually becomes ridiculously overpowered. While it had moments that caught my eye, overall, I found myself a bit underwhelmed.

First Impressions

The title definitely promises a certain type of character: cunning, perhaps ruthless, maybe even a bit morally gray. However, what I encountered in the early chapters didn't quite match that expectation. Instead, the protagonist, Lyu Liang, comes across as more of a naive, somewhat hapless individual, which felt like a bit of a disconnect.

What Works Well

I have to give credit where it's due: the descriptive writing is pretty solid. The author paints vivid pictures of the world and the various encounters Lyu Liang has. I also appreciated the translation quality; it felt smooth and natural, which is always a big plus in these types of novels. This allows the story to flow and avoids a lot of the clunky phrasing that can plague translated works.

Areas of Concern

My main issue lies with the plot and the protagonist's development, or rather, the lack thereof. The story feels rushed, with Lyu Liang stumbling upon an almost comical number of incredibly powerful opportunities early on. It almost feels like the author is throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. The constant stream of fortuitous encounters cheapens the sense of accomplishment that should come with cultivation. I was hoping for a more gradual progression, where the protagonist earns his power through hard work and cleverness, rather than just sheer luck. The character himself also felt a bit bland, and I struggled to connect with him or root for his success. I found myself wanting a more compelling reason to invest in his journey.

Final Verdict

"The Devilish Immortal" has some potential, particularly in its descriptive writing and smooth translation. However, the rushed plot, abundance of fortuitous encounters, and somewhat bland protagonist left me wanting more. If you're looking for a slow-burn cultivation story with a cunning protagonist, this might not be the novel for you.