Shisi

I really enjoyed this, despite the fact that it includes a lot of things I really don't like. An Zhe, Lu Feng, and the supporting cast, the narrative, the central relationship, they all shine so strongly and are so enjoyable.

I adore An Zhe. Every time he refers to himself as a mushroom is so cute. He's sweet and lovely and the ways he learns about humans is endearing. I really love his relationship with Lu Feng, whom I also love.

I tend to avoid post-apocalyptic narratives, particularly when they're mixed with dystopias, (I find them too depressing) and body horror and giant insects, so there's a lot of things in here that just aren't for me. That being said, the writing for all this is very good, quality-wise, and the world set-up is quite good, and anyone who's into all that should have a great time. In any case, the central relationship and An Zhe himself are compelling enough to get me through the parts I didn't like very much, enough to make me read this in like two days, five star rate it, and be interested in reading the sequel.

The story is oddly gentle in some ways despite the horrifying nature of the plot and world itself. And for some reason I find the central relationship quite warm and thus endearing. I love all parts of it, but that warmth is a big part of why. The way the story emphasizes gentle physicality, a sort of form of parallel play, and the soothing nature of nearness is quite compelling. I also find the emphasis on mushrooms fascinating. I don't know much about fungi, but I know just enough to find the ways this book messes with their science really neat.

My primary quibbles are that in places, and this might be a translation issue, the writing seems a little amateurish. Probably unrelatedly, I had the Peach Flower House ebook edition, and there were a number of typos. Nothing too egregious, but more than I usually notice in other books. And quite frankly I don't mind because Peach Flower House offers DRM free ebooks, which is awesome. I'll take a few typos for that. Overall, though, the story and characters are enough that it was no barrier to enjoyment.

If you're looking for a science fiction danmei with a truly endearing protagonist, and maybe a post-apocalyptic dystopia narrative and some body horror and violence, with a central mpreg subplot, this is the thing for you, particularly since it's short and complete.… (meer)

What an absolutely ride this story has been. I adore it. It nearly made me cry. It's all I've been reading all day. I'm going to reread the Extras tomorrow because I was just so overwhelmed I think I missed out on stuff.

"Little Mushroom" is a a science fiction boy's love post-apocalyptic dystopia mpreg monsterfucker story and it is in many ways quite horrifying and depressing (due to the proliferation of giant mutated bug monsters, frequent murder, and the existential dread of living in a dying world), but also full of hope and sweetness. A lot of the science/fake science flew over my head in this one, but the relationships between the characters, particularly An Zhe and Lu Feng, carried it. I love them both so much, and their story is absolutely wonderful.

The Extras are also amazing. I just love seeing Lu Feng happy so much and being able to just BE with An Zhe more, and An Zhe's joy at living with Lu Feng and exploring his abilities, the world, and who he is as a person, and who Lu Feng is, without fear of being discovered and having to hide who he is. It's also really kinky, and in a cute way. Despite the heavy subject matter of the story, it has an oddly fluffy tone to it, to compensate for that overwhelming despair. And it's really needed, and really wonderful. I love it. Any time Lu Feng affectionately calls An Zhe a mushroom I die of happiness.

As someone who isn't a fan of post-apocalyptic stories (I find them too depressing), I was surprised to adore this as much as I do, so perhaps if those turn you off... maybe give this a shot? This did give me "Wolf's Rain" vibes in a lot of way, but that being said the ending is happy, and the world doesn't technically end, unlike "Wolf's Rain", and the characters don't ALL die, so it has that going for it.

Also just saying, it's interesting to find a story about a dystopic fortress city focused on elite military dealing with giant mutant monsters that like eating people that isn't just a giant antisemitic caricature using Holocaust imagery and laced in nationalism. Weird how that's just a thing you can avoid doing. /end sarcasm. So like, if you've been burned by "Attack on Titan", maybe give this a shot, because it doesn't have any of that stuff. There is a bit too much Christianity for my tastes, but it's not too overwhelming.

Overall, this is a really wonderful pair of books. I adore An Zhe and Lu Feng. I'm still bouncing from it all. So glad I got around to it at long last. And thanks to Peach Flower House for publishing it and selling DRM-free ebooks.… (meer)