Sansheng, Death Exists Not at the River of Oblivion

3.5 stars. I think the story was very unique. A stone spirit (Sansheng) from the underworld asks the God of War if she could seduce him when he undergoes his trial in the mortal realm. The god, Moxi, agrees - telling her that she follow him for three human lifetimes, and then it's back to the Underworld for her. Initially, it began almost like a comedy. Sansheng, having never “lived” - she was born in the Underworld - didn't have any social graces and would say whatever was on her mind. So, she didn't really care about propriety and would often offend people. And she doesn't care! That's refreshing to me. She even flirted a few times with Moxi when he was a boy in a few of his incarnations. Cough, I have to say this aspect of the novella makes me uncomfortable as it creeps me out quite a bit!

Still, an interesting tale eventhough I felt it could've been fleshed out for more emotional impact. As it is, it was a light, breezy read. The story had such potential, however, that it made me wish it had more depth so that I could really feel the climatic and moving ending more.

PS: I read a fan-translated copy.