What do a dragon, a monk, and a ghost have in common? Truly, not much except that they are all oddballs coming together by fate (or maybe misfortune). Each of them is on a quest for something: getting their body back, finding their parents’ spirits, and something they can’t quite remember. While they don’t initially plan to take on the journey together, fate has a funny way of doing things.
About Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi
Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi is by Mu Su Li, the author of Panguan: The Twelfth Gate and Global Examination. It is published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. In it, we follow Xue Xian, a dragon who’s been reduced to almost nothing. After having been robbed of his bones and tendons in his dragon form, his spirit has separated from his body. Xue Xian uses his powers to attach his spirit to a paper body and is now on the hunt to get his dragon body back.
Xue Xian recruits Jiang Shining, a ghost who’s been unable to move on for three years, and also gives him a paper body. As Xue Xian is a paraplegic, he relies on Jiang Shining to get him food and help him track down his body. After getting food one day, a mysterious monk named Xuanmin follows Jiang Shining home. Upon sensing the “evil spirits” in the paper dolls, he collects Xue Xian and Jiang Shining and stores them in his pouch. This unleashes a series of events in which the three work together to solve weird, ongoing mysteries.
My Thoughts
I should have known, based on the joke on the back cover, “A monk, a ghost, and a dragon walk into a manor…” that Copper Coins was going to be a delight to read. I had to put my iPad down several times to laugh and take in what I just read. The entire book played out like a ’90s comedic anime in my mind and made it a breeze to get through.
Xue Xian is going through it!! But man, does he make it funny. His inner dialogue carries the story, and the way he curses out everyone, especially Xuanmin, is so fun to read. He’s so angry at his circumstances, but his tiny paper body makes him and his temper tantrums cute and hilarious. He’s admittedly vain and is so prideful that he embarrasses easily and often changes his tune. This, combined with Xuanmin’s aloofness, makes interactions between the two delicious. Especially, since Xuanmin isn’t afraid to sling his own sarcastic remarks back at Xue Xian.
Aside from the comedy, the setup of the story was incredible. I always love it when stories have seemingly unrelated arcs that actually tie in to the main plot. The two arcs in this volume were both touching, to the point of tears. They also tie in a lot of cultural context with familial ties, which pulls at the heartstrings.
There’s a wonderful balance between the funny, lighthearted dynamic of the trio and the serious, thought-provoking stories being told. Copper Coins weaves both elements together perfectly, while still leaving room for more. This first volume covered a lot of ground for Xue Xian and Jiang Shining, but it also left many questions about Xuanmin unanswered. Through Xue Xian’s point of view, we definitely can see him starting to look at Xuanmin in a certain way, but the novel ends right as we get there. I need volume 2 like yesterday to see how these two get closer.
Where to Buy Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi Vol 1
Written by Mu Su Li
Cover illustration by Porridge
Interior illustrations by Dalo
Translation by Faelicy
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Book One is available now.
Thank you, Seven Seas Entertainment, for an advanced reviewer copy.
