Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on The General Loves to Collect Little Red Flowers
"The General Loves to Collect Little Red Flowers" is quite a ride, and not always the one I expected. It's a blend of genres that, while ambitious, doesn't always mesh perfectly. Despite its quirks, I found myself drawn in by the characters and the unique world the author has created.
First Impressions
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room: the title. It's misleading, to say the least. I went in expecting a fluffy story centered around collecting "little red flowers," but that element is barely present. The actual story involves a transmigrated Taoist priest, Le Yao, in a futuristic ABO world, married to a young general, Xu Yao. He ends up using his abilities to deal with ghosts on a post-apocalyptic Earth. It's quite a departure from what the title suggests!
What Works Well
Despite the initial confusion, I appreciated the blend of sci-fi, supernatural, and romance. The dynamic between Le Yao and Xu Yao is genuinely sweet and often funny. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop, with Xu Yao's teasing and Le Yao's attempts to outsmart him creating some genuinely entertaining moments. The world-building, while sometimes overwhelming, is also fascinating. I particularly liked the integration of metaphysics into a futuristic setting, and the descriptions of the food were mouthwatering thanks to the translator's inclusion of images.
Areas of Concern
The biggest issue I encountered was the pacing and the sheer number of elements crammed into the story. At times, the plot felt disjointed, jumping from romance to ghost-busting to kingdom-building without a smooth transition. The constant introduction of new plot points and abilities sometimes felt unnecessary and detracted from the core story. Also, the MC can fall into some pretty stereotypical roles, which can be frustrating in a sci-fi setting.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Some readers might be put off by the reveal of the MC and ML's past lives as gods, which some found out of place and unnecessary. Additionally, the m-preg element might not be for everyone.
Final Verdict
Overall, "The General Loves to Collect Little Red Flowers" is an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, read. If you're looking for a lighthearted story with a unique blend of genres and don't mind a misleading title, this might be right up your alley. Just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride along the way. I'd give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
