Heaven Official's Blessing 2

Heaven Official's Blessing 2 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This came out as beautifully as the first volume. The story picks up near the end of the ghost king inquiry at the end of the previous book and takes us through Xie Lian's return to the mortal realm, this time to set up a shrine for his most recent ascension, even if he believes he will be his only believer at the time. During this time, he meets San Lang during the ghost festival and walks through the various ways to tell tell if someone is a ghost or not. These differences are clearest when the shrine receives and unexpected visitor telling of Banyue Pass. It ends just as Xie Lian informs San Lang that he will need to take a long trip, but no details yet between the new friends. As usual, the artwork is amazing and adds a new dimension to the storytelling, especially when combined with the other forms of media.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 8

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 8 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This not only ends the main story, but has several other side stories that take place after the main events, taking them back to Ghost City and their tiny shrine, the mountain, the statues, etc. There is a period that is rather sad and alarming, though of course, we have the red string of fate to help guide the way. We also finally learn the significance of the necklace San Lang gave Xie Lian. If anything, it's sad to be parting ways with these characters and such an excellent story, but it's also a good ending where many things are resolved, but still not finalized in the ever changing landscape.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 7

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 7 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The giant statue is hilarious, but comes in handy. Things are finally coming together as more truths are unraveled, adding a new perspective and outlook to Xie Lian's own past and path traveled. It is apparent that Xie Lian would not choose the same path as Jun Wu, though the similarities are frightening. It would be curious if they could remove the bindings Xie Lian wears, if he would be similar to Jun Wu's strength despite the lack of standard temples and devotees. He's slowly been earning a new name for himself with this last ascension, and it's clear he was never entirely forgotten thanks to San Lang. While it seems we've learned Feng Xin's story, there still seems to be something about Mu Qing that doesn't add up. The story is definitely coming to a close, thought it's hard to tell exactly what may unfold next the way things continue to unravel. It's clear that the heavens will not be the same after.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 6

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 6 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


We're finally seeing the details of Xie Lian's past following the fall of Xianle through his second ascension and banishment, as well as why he has two sealling marks (hint: it's not because he was banished twice). There is very little of the San Lang we know up to this point, but that doesn't mean he isn't still there, just in different forms and names. If anything, we discover how he first gained his physical form as a ghost, though the little ghost light was adorable in its own way (just nowhere near as useful, sadly). There is something with this white ghost king that is even more unusual than the other two ghosts. Even more questions here and concerns given only the two of them are in the kiln. It will be interesting to see how much more of the past is revealed before we move back to the present.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 5

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 5 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was not what I expected going into this volume, but it's still another great addition to the story. Xie Lian is generally holding things together well and able to figure things out fairly quickly with the aid of San Lang's accumulated knowledge, which he is more than happy to share with Xie Lian. The others in their odd group really only benefit because Xie Lian is with them. Otherwise, San Lang would most likely do as he pleases for their benefit (the heaven official's might assume it's only for his own benefit or whims, but it's clear that Xie Lian has been a focus for San Lang even before they met this last time around). We finally meet the Rain Master as well, who is not what the others expected, but seems very calm and capable herself. The Pei's make as much of a mess of things as they tend to solve, and we get even more of Pei Ming's story in this volume. There isn't a lot of Heulian action, but there are plenty of small moments and tells if you look for them. The red string especially plays a unique role here, and hopefully will remain in its current form going forward.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 4

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 4 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Xie Lian still hasn't remembered his past with San Lang, but he seems to be getting some small impressions here and there. It will be curious with these new events and San Lang's current form if that helps jog his memories at all. In the meantime, events with 3 of the highest gods and one of the supreme ghosts unfold in a rather unexpected manner. Add that to whoever has been pulling strings with them this entire time and these new events with the mountain, and there doesn't seem to be a dull moment. We get a few rather hilarious scenes here as Xie Lian finally recognizes some of his own emotions (not that he actually names them) and even gets his own chance to take care of San Lang for a change. The cover gives a hint to some events, though it's not exactly what reader's may hope for. Who's to say in the future yet though.

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Heaven Official's Blessing 1

Heaven Official's Blessing 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's fairly rare that I'll buy a hardback book rather than paperback or ebook, but this is well worth it. Everything from the binding to the edge art and the color print is beautifully done. As is typical with most manhua, this does not finish the first novel or even first episode of the donghua. Still, there's a decent arc progression in this volume, and everything is done beautifully. The scenes with the silver butterflies are especially pleasing, as in the reactions of the officials who are helping Xie Lian. We see a bit more of this first mysterious interaction with the as-yet-unnamed man who helps with the ghost groom case in a rather unexpected and unusual manner. Every new piece ads new dimension to the story while remaining true to the original source material, and it's truly enjoyable.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 3

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 3 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Xie Lian still doesn't seem to recognize San Lang, but it becomes more clear with this volume just how they met and why he is so important to his new friend. San Lang is definitely far more indulgent with Xie Lian, but it's clear they are important to each other, even if Xie Lian panics when San Lang shows up in the water before he recognizes him. It seemed clear that San Lang would be behind the events at the banquet, but that still doesn't prepare for just where the temple is. A little difficult to give directions to, though as always with these two, it's well meaning. Even San Lang's saber seems to be attached to Xie Lian, though Xie Lian doesn't seem to entirely understand it just yet. The Wind Master continues to be a good ally as well, even if it seems he may have dropped them into another strange adventure. At least this time Xie Lian has better help given he has both the Wind Master and the Earth Master with him, as well as San Lang who has proven to be very reliable.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 2

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 2 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This volume essentially brings us to the end of the donghua as it currently stands. As with the first volume, there is a great deal more detail to the story as a whole. Even though certain things are not entirely confirmed just yet with the current versions of these characters, it is fairly clear at this point exactly when and how San Lang became so enamored with Xie Lian. We also get to see more of the other martial gods who once served Xie Lian, and their story together before his first ascension. Though they are argumentative, apparently even back as humans, it seems these two have their own unique way of still caring for Xie Lian while maintaining their own images and power - a difficult tightrope to walk at times. The Wind Master's declaration before they all part ways is most hilarious as well, though it will be curious if anyone ever corrects his claim of "blood brothers" for San Lang and Xie Lian. Curious how he came to that conclusion exactly, but it also seems to work in their favor given everything else going on. It's rather odd just how entangled in all of these stories Xie Lian is without any memory or realization until the pieces come together with certain key players. Now if he wasn't so self sacrificing all the time, maybe San Lang would calm down a little, though Xie Lian does get a few of his own licks in.

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Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 1

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Started with the donghua for this series, so the characters and early part of the story are familiar, though it felt like there were a lot of details missing in the animation timing. Unsurprisingly, there is a lot more detail in the original written novel. This covers a lot of information about Xie Lian's life though he is living on from his third ascension. Somehow, each new case ties back to some historic event and something he remembers from his previous life. We're seeing very early signs of his past with San Lang. This first volume ends at a bit of a turning point in the story where they both recognize each other and know who the other is, but are both okay with this. Perhaps the only time San Lang shows any sort of uncertainty seems to be when it comes to the idea of Xie Lian no longer wanting anything to do with him or being afraid of him. It's an unusual friendship to say the least, but also very touching and encouraging with the extreme level these two take with their trust in each other even if they rather literally are supposed to be on opposing sides.

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Heaven Official's Blessing

Heaven Official's Blessing (2020)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I started this series a long time ago and remember the ghost scene at the beginning setting off some lingering paranoia from Attack on Titan, so I never finished it. Now having seen both seasons, this is a complex and beautifully drawn story with a lot of subtle underlying tones. Xie Lian has ascended to heaven three times, which is unusual in itself. Instead of being banished quickly, he is sent on a mission that it seems no one wants to deal with but needs to be taken care of. He doesn't expect this to also kick off a strange and unusual attachment with one of the four demon kings. If anything, this series left me finally wanting more, which may be just the right draw to finally get through the novels just in time before the comics begin publishing as well.