yuhh this was so good!! it's the prequel of 少年歌行, there are so many recurring characters and i finally get to know their lore :D
(unfortunately not all the lore, cuz this book ends before another major event in the mc's life smh)
one critique i had, is that the mc is supposed to really love wine, to the point where even tho he's extremely skilled with the sword, he calls himself a brewmaster instead of a swordmaster. but while wine plays a big role for him at the start, it declines in importance as the book goes on.
it generally revolves around the same theme of youth, but also conflict between personal happiness and the greater good. sooo more dramatic and emotional scenes, less fighting.
altho imo this book wasn't as good as its sequel, it's still amazing, in writing and characters and plot and everything. honestly, i might like the characters here more than in 少年歌行.
but imma be fr, i'm so sad this universe is over :((