When starting this series I thought, it would be mostly cliches and contrived plot lines. Though there was a little bit of that, you can’t have a romance drama without cliches, but the story worked so well that these instances were barely noticeable.

The series spent a lot of time focused on building the connection between Dongfang and Orchid, which set up a great foundation for their relationship evolving into love later in the series. Though Dongfang was brooding and morose, and on a mission of great importance, he couldn’t help but to become captivated by Orchid’s kind and cheerful energy.

The “mundane” of the everyday with he and Orchid of just chatting over a drink/meal to conflicts over everything from the history of the battle between Shuiyuntian and Canyan Sea, to eating breakfast, to the laziness that is sleeping in, made it fun to experience their world. Most especially when they were living at Arbiter Hall.

Moreover, Dongfang’s immersion in his hate for the fairies, which was fueling his most powerful magic (the hell fire), yet desire to feel, to love, to be with Orchid who was everything he should hate, was compelling to watch. As was Orchid’s metamorphosis from fun, yet immature girl, to a mature (yet still cheerful and light) and strong woman was also interesting. When Dongfang finally let go, allowing himself to embrace his love for her, he loved with intensity and a depth that was swoon worthy, and Orchid, despite her lightheartedness, matched that love with her own deep devotion and intensity.

The love story in this was epic because these two were are all in with their love for each other, even before they realized they were in love. And being all in meant they did some pretty extraordinary things for each other. Dongfang’s strength was incredible to watch. He went through it, constantly sacrificing, constantly enduring physical and mental angst, but always remained mentally strong.

The B and C stories, had good writing and tied in well with the main plot. I could not stand Lord Hao. His brand of love was the other extreme, which was obsession, an obsession that could have destroyed all three realms, but despite this I understood what drove his actions. Though the fairies were supposed to be the good guys, their community seemed to mostly be filled with bullies, hypocrites and intolerant a******. Orchid and Lord Changheng seemed to be the only truly good people in the community.

The series was well-written, but there were a couple of plot holes, sometimes the Xiyan curse only worked when convenient. Why did Lady Chidi end up in the mortal world after she sacrificed herself to save the fairies? Was that because she violated the rules a fate by saving Lord Hao from death? Did the thousands of years of warring between the Moon Tribe and the Fairies really start over someone getting dumped? Basically someone from the Moon Tribe getting dumped by a fairy? Crazy. SMH.

Really enjoyed all the relationships in this. They all had some complexity and thus were interesting and developed in a direction which was unexpected. I would’ve liked to have seen more of the Moon Tribe and it’s culture. Some intriguing things were revealed but not much time was spent on those things due to the story having to move forward.

The CGI in this was excellent as was the acting. Dylan Wang as Dongfang was the stand out though. The complexity of this character could’ve been lost on a lesser actor, but I think he handled it like a pro. Yu Shuxin was good as well, but she struggled, just a little, with some of the big emotional moments.

I thought the last 3-4 episodes dragged, I was not feeling Orchid pretending to have no memory of her previously life. Moreover there was too much time spent on Danyi’s family drama and Lord Hao living in a fantasy with Lady Chidi. It was painful to watch him living in a lie with her while she gradually became a soulless monster. I know that wasn’t the story but I would’ve liked to have seen Dongfang and Orchid deciding together to work to destroy Tai Sui, instead of secretly doing their own thing. I also really would’ve liked to have seen more of their reunion at the end. Perhaps them finally getting married or a fast forward to hundreds of years in the future with them living happily, but oh well.

Despite some of my qualms, I enjoyed this series immensely. It’s definitely worth the time to watch. It will be one I will rewatch often in the future.