This danmei novel is quite plot-heavy and the romance is kind of a sub-plot, so anyone looking for a romance-focused plot, this might not be for you. The romantic relationship is a great anchor for both the MC and ML's stance in the situation, but it's not what drives the whole plot.
But even though the romance is just a subplot, what I love about this novel the most is the MC and ML's relationship dynamic. Both of them are standing on different side of the conflict and literally everyone is convinced that one of them would just betray the other. But the thing is, their level of trust for each other is not something anyone would understand. From the perspective of the outsiders, they are just collaborating for the sake of their personal gains, that they just clearly met and betrayal is very possible. What they didn't know is how much they rely on each other since they were kids, that even though Shu Jun lost his memories of A Yan, that instinctual trust he gave the other is very natural, how deep their feelings for each other are despite the growing hostility of their respective 'race'. No one is aware of their sincere love other than themselves. And I loved how nonchalant they are in their response when other people kept on provoking their trust on each other, because they're confident that backstabbing would not happen in their relationship. I love that relationship dynamic so much and for me, that's the best part of this novel.
I can't say I'm very into the plot itself, but it was still good. I just stayed here for both the MC and ML and their display of affection, regardless of the plot. I've read another novel of this author a few months ago (Happy Doomsday) and I can see how much she's focused on the complicated plot, but her characters and their dynamics are undoubtedly the best aspect of her works in my opinion, both in this novel and in Happy Doomsday. I will definitely read more of her novels in the future.
When I look at the "power couple" tag, this is what I expect. Anything less is an insult to the trope lol
Thd plot is heavy and at times it gets hard to follow. Not because of the politics (that part was simplified) but because of the scifiesh mumbo jumbo. The bullshit parts of the erosion and apocalypse were good tho The nonsense part is how cartoonish certain characters can be... one moment they make sense, the next they become plot fuel. Whatever. I work with lawyers so I know, for a fact, that irl ppl can be one dimensional too so my possible complaints about side characters personalities and developments are very subdued. In any case, the characters that needed depth were good enough (Xia Liang, Dr Ai, Tang Heyu) other characters who also needed depth were lacking tho (Yi Ning, Zhu Sheng, Luo Duan). No matter what the point was to highlight the main cp and the effect was achieved. Very roughly, yes but I have high hopes for this author's writting, I'm sure it'll improve and next time the characters will feel more fleshed out.
In the end the sci fi elements were enough for me and the real reason I loved this read so much is the power couple. Zhu Yanchen reminds me of You Huo and Shu Jun of Qin Jiu... do I need more? No I dont.