What an Audacious and Sly Servant!

My Thoughts on What an Audacious and Sly Servant!

"What an Audacious and Sly Servant!" promised a fun, gender-bending romp through ancient China, and for the most part, it delivered. While the ending left me wanting more, the journey was entertaining enough to warrant a recommendation, albeit with a few caveats.

First Impressions

The premise hooked me right away: a stoic, martial arts-skilled female lead disguised as a man, serving a narcissistic, slightly effeminate crown prince. The role reversal had immense potential for comedy, and I was eager to see how their dynamic would unfold. I was particularly drawn to the idea of a calm, collected protagonist constantly roasting the vain prince in her mind – a refreshing change from the typical shoujo setup.

What Works Well

The humor is definitely the strongest aspect of this novel. I found myself laughing out loud at the interactions between the leads, especially the crown prince's antics and the female lead's dry wit. The characters are quite unique, especially the Crown Prince, who is both extremely uncute and also very cute at the same time. It’s a fun twist on the usual cold male lead trope. Many readers enjoyed the early parts of the story the most, when the leads were younger. The side characters are also well-defined and add to the overall charm. The initial plot of the FL being appointed as the Crown Prince's study partner (while disguised as a boy) was a great starting point for their interactions.

Areas of Concern

The most common complaint I encountered was the rushed and unsatisfactory ending. Several readers felt that the story lost its way towards the end, with plot points left unresolved and characters forgotten. The romance, while present, felt underdeveloped and sometimes frustrating, and even ambiguous. The time skips, especially the final one, felt jarring and didn't allow for proper closure. Also, some felt the story dragged on in places.

Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, "What an Audacious and Sly Servant!" is an enjoyable read if you're looking for lighthearted comedy and don't mind a somewhat incomplete ending. The unique characters and humorous interactions make it worth the time, but be prepared for a potentially frustrating final few chapters. I'd recommend it as a fun, casual read, but not if you're seeking a deeply developed plot or a satisfying romance.