Ancient God

上古 · Original Chinese title

Also known as: Ancient Love Poetry (drama adaptation), Shang Gu, ตำนานรักสองสวรรค์, 上古

By xing ling, 星零

★★★★★ 4.5 54 ratings

Completed chinese Published Novel

Our review

Reviewed by Kana

Who it's for, and whether it holds up.

Author profile

My Thoughts on Ancient God

"Ancient God" is a xianxia romance that I dove into after hearing buzz about its drama adaptation. While adaptations often fall short, I was curious to see if the source material lived up to the hype – and for the most part, it did.

First Impressions

Right off the bat, I was drawn into the world. The initial chapters painted a vivid picture, and I quickly became invested in the characters. There's a certain charm to the classic xianxia setup, and "Ancient God" does a solid job of establishing the world's rules and the stakes for our protagonists.

What Works Well

The romance is undeniably the heart of this story, and I found myself completely swept away by the central relationship. It's the kind of epic, sacrificial love that tugs at your heartstrings and keeps you hooked. I especially appreciated the depth given to Bai Jue. His quiet devotion and the sacrifices he makes are truly moving. The world-building is also a strong point. While some of the technical terms took a bit of getting used to, the overall scope and detail of the world felt impressive. The side characters are also well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. They feel like more than just plot devices, adding depth and richness to the story.

Areas of Concern

While I enjoyed the novel overall, I can see why some readers might find the female lead, Shanggu, frustrating at times. Her actions can occasionally feel impulsive and reckless, leading to situations where others have to bail her out. This could be seen as a flaw, but I also think it contributes to her character arc and eventual growth. It's also worth noting that the story is quite angsty, so if you're not a fan of emotional rollercoasters, this might not be the book for you.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

Some reviews mention specific plot points, such as Shanggu's quest to revive Bo Xuan and Bai Jue's ultimate fate. If you're sensitive to spoilers, proceed with caution when reading further reviews or discussions about the novel.

Final Verdict

Despite some minor frustrations with the main character's initial naivety, "Ancient God" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant xianxia romance. The world-building is intricate, the side characters are well-developed, and the central love story is truly epic. If you're looking for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and stay up all night reading, I highly recommend giving "Ancient God" a try.

Synopsis

When a mortal encounters difficulties and separation in life, he can resort to praying to the god and to the Buddha – but what if one is an immortal? She lost the memories she had of the three hundred years before the Catastrophe of Chaos occurred, which caused her to forget the love that was buried deep in her heart. But she will never forget how this person quietly stayed by her side for sixty thousand years. She will never forget the thousands of years he spent in the Northern Sea, frozen in time. She will never forget how he stood on Qinglong Terrace, enduring the pain of having his bones crushed and body burnt. She will never forget how he chose to shatter his spirit into a million pieces, turning himself into ash, just so she could live. Now, in the desolation of the Nine provinces and the loneliness of the Three Realms, she was the only figure standing on Gan Kun Platform. In this lifetime, she is able to stand in front of all the immortals and gods. She is able to stand in front of the innumerable people and spirits living in the Nine provinces and Eight Lands. She is able to stand in front of her deceased father, God Qing Tian. But she couldn’t stand straight and prove herself worthy in front of one person. She owes him so much more than one hundred and thirty thousand years. She is indebted to him for more than three lifetimes. This time, she would be the one waiting for him to return. Even if millions of years pass, she would never, ever leave.

Ancient God