My journey with Heaven’s Official Blessing (天官赐福 / Tiān Guān Cì Fú) began through the Netflix Donghua adaptation. That first case of the missing brides on Mount Yujun completely captivated me and left me craving more of Xie Lian’s story. When I discovered the novels had English translations available, I was thrilled to dive deeper into this fascinating world.
Get the first book to experience the mystery of Mount Yujun for yourself
A World of Gods, Ghosts, and Mortals
For those unfamiliar with the premise, Heaven’s Official Blessing follows Xie Lian, a former crown prince who ascends to godhood at just seventeen, only to be banished back to the mortal realm—not once, but twice. Eight hundred years later, he ascends for a third time as the laughing stock of all three realms. On his first assignment as a thrice-ascended god, he encounters a mysterious ghost king who has been watching him for centuries.
What makes this series special is its fascinating cultivation system. If you live an exemplary mortal life, you can ascend to become a god with a specific area of expertise. As a heavenly official, you must gather merits by answering prayers from your followers—who can easily abandon you if you slack off! Conversely, those who commit evil deeds are sent to the ghost realm after death. I found the concept that gods aren’t perfect and often have tainted pasts particularly refreshing.
A Character-Driven Epic
The books give much more background than the animation, answering all the questions I had while watching the series. I literally devoured books 1-4 in one go because they were that good, then returned a month later for books 5-8.
Each character throughout the story is memorable without being overwhelming in number. What’s truly impressive is how the author makes you care deeply about each one through their interesting personal stories. Even if you’re not typically drawn to boys’ love stories, the complex cases and their jaw-dropping plot twists make this series worth reading.
Book-by-Book Journey
Book 1 gives the first case of the ghost bride in Mount Yujun. This first case is so compelling and pulled me to read the rest of the book. It also introduces us to the main character of Xie Lian and a bit of his background story.
Book 2 introduces us to Ghost City and various spirits who live there. The supporting characters are hilarious and likeable, while the second case involving Banyue is complex and action-packed.
Book 3 flashes back to Xie Lian’s past and explains his first banishment. Though I’m usually not a fan of flashbacks, I couldn’t stop reading as we got to know Qi Rong’s story—both hilarious and refreshing after all the action.
Book 4 focuses on the Wind Master god, Shi Qingxuan, and Xie Lian’s friend. You’ll find yourself engrossed in their story and wondering about all the characters’ fates. It seems no god has a pure past—they’ve all done something questionable! This book perfectly blends plot development with shocking deaths and situations. Strangely, I found myself rooting for He Xuan, who is supposedly the villain!
Book 5 explores Mount Tonglu and how ghost kings are born. Readers are treated to a battle royale that, while not as intense as book 4, delivers major plot developments and background stories for supporting characters.
Book 6 returns with gut-wrenching intensity as Xie Lian confronts his greatest fear and enemy. Through flashbacks, we experience the trauma of his first banishment—truly emotion-provoking storytelling.
Book 7 delivers the END MECHA BATTLE. Imagine enormous statues battling each other amid fire and ruin, plus the plot twist revealing the final boss! I couldn’t put this book down. Throughout these epic battles, you’ll still find yourself concerned for all the supporting characters—that’s how memorable they are.
Book 8 provides a beautiful conclusion to this epic journey. All loose ends are tied up nicely, and bonus stories show the other side of Hua Cheng and Xie Lian’s relationship. There are no frustrating cliffhangers—just a warm, satisfying ending.
Complete your collection with the final book for the most satisfying conclusion
Character Development Across Centuries
Throughout 800 years, Xie Lian’s character truly develops. We see him at his peak and at his lowest low, making major impacts on those around him in his own unique way. Hua Cheng also endures much throughout the series—the books highlight his devotion to Xie Lian while gradually revealing the reasons behind that dedication.
I also noticed that throughout the books, characters rarely rush to kill each other, even when circumstances would permit it. Despite past mistakes, they try their best to endure difficult situations and challenging personalities. This approach to conflict resolution feels refreshingly different from many other fantasy works.
Final Thoughts
Heaven’s Official Blessing is highly recommended if you’re curious about Eastern fantasy or even the fantasy genre itself. It offers something refreshingly different from Western fantasy models and stands as a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast. The slow-burn romance between the two main characters is beautifully developed, but the series offers so much more—complex mysteries, intricate world-building, and characters you’ll grow to love.
Rating: 5 muse points – so good it might make you contemplate 800 years of devotion to a fictional character (and your bookshelf might just become your personal shrine).
What books have you read that feature unique systems of divinity or afterlife? I’d love to hear your recommendations and thoughts in the comments below!
Ready to start this epic journey? Get your copy of Heaven’s Official Blessing now!
