REVIEW: Golden Terrace Vol 1

Golden Terrace was a story I knew was coming but it slipped my mind in the shuffle of a lot of my anticipated books releasing. I didn’t know a lot about the story beforehand, but a trusted person told me it was cute and fluffy. And I LOVE cute and fluffy. I read the majority of the book over a single weekend and even paused my other reads because I needed this story in my brain and heart as soon as possible.

About Golden Terrace

Golden Terrace is a danmei series by Cang Wu Bin Bai, published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. The story resolves around two men, on different sides of the political spectrum. Fu Shen is a military leader, hailing from a bloodline of military leaders. He has an impressive reputation and up until this point, has always been on good standing with the throne. Yan Xiaohan, on the other hand, is known as the “emperor’s lap dog.” He’s the imperial inspector of the Feilong Guard, and has a reputation of being ruthless. Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan famously do not get along.

When the emperor start distrusting Fu Shen, he forces a marriage between Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan, in an attempt to humiliate him. Little does the emperor know, his forced marriage may be a blessing in disguise for Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan, who share a secret history.

My Thoughts

Golden Terrace combines the wackiness of a “forced marriage” trope with the serious intrigue of politics. We start the story with Fu Shen facing an assassination attempt and becoming disabled. As if this wasn’t bad enough, he makes it home only to be disrespected by the emperor with this forced marriage. Fu Shen is smart and cunning, and we see him spend a lot of time trying to get to the bottom of what is going on. Although he senses the emperor is behind everything, he still feels that filial piety towards him.

Yan Xiaohan has a reputation that precedes him and he doesn’t care. “Think I’m the worst, think I’m a lapdog. You want to go low? I can go lower.” Everyone thinks the worst of him and since he comes from nothing, he’s more than happy to oblige. Yet, when it comes to being around Fu Shen, we see this as what it is, just a persona. He actually cares a lot about certain things or should I say people.

From the first time we see them together in the story, the chemistry is palpable! Since they publicly have a reputation that they can’t stand each other, the meeting feels tense but also different than expected. Yan Xiaohan seems to care a lot about Fu Shen, but we don’t know why yet. As the story goes on, they let their guards down and allow for love to grow. And man, what a deep, fulfilling, and beautiful love it is! The way both characters are written make their every interaction so satisfying, even when it isn’t always positive. Their glances, their words, every single action is meaningful and delicious. There are so many moments that made me pause and giggle because of how cute they are.

Golden Terrace strikes the perfect balance between fluff and action. The politics of it all add a big layer to why Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan’s relationship is strained in the beginning, and it then gives a reason for both parties to come together as the story goes on. Once Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan feel like they are on solid ground, the political scene starts escalating to new heights and threatens this new thing between them. At every turn, Golden Terrace keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait for volume two!

What I Loved

This next part includes story specific spoilers so stop here and come back after you read Golden Terrace volume 1.

Yan Xiaohan x Fu Shen

I cannot get over how much I love Yan Xiaohan and Fu Shen! I’m a sucker for love, so I always love the main couples and the side ones too. But the dynamics in Golden Terrace had me through the moooooon!!!!!! Yan Xiaohan is so DREAMY! From that first visit he makes to Fu Shen when he learns about the accident, I just knew he was so in love with Fu Shen. When the emperor tells Yan Xiaohan that he will be marrying Fu Shen, I just know Yan Xiaohan was screaming and jumping for joy on the inside.

In contrast to Yan Xiaohan, we have Fu Shen who is slowly but surely being swayed by all of Yan Xiaohan’s devotion. I love that Fu Shen isn’t depicted as the completely total opposite and cold towards Yan Xiaohan. Of course, he’s not happy about the marriage, especially since it was done to humiliate him. But the way he gives into love without much of a fight was precious to me. All this time, all the fame and glory was amazing, but he was missing love!

The History of Love

The secret history between the two of them was incredible! I love a “it’s aways been you” moment and the fact they’ve always felt something between them makes their current love so dreamy. I also love a reveal and the moment Fu Shen discovers that Yan Xiaohan didn’t betray him like he initially thought brought tears to my eyes. At every turn since their first meeting, Yan Xiaohan had always been thinking of Fu Shen. Be still my heart!

Where to Buy Golden Terrace Vol 1

Thank you, Seven Seas Entertainment, for the ARC.