Minor spoilers here and there but FULL spoilers in the Ending section I think its pretty obvious to me by now that I really have a soft spot for unique historical manhwas one that deviates from the expected royal setting which could be a bad thing in the long run because now my expectations are getting higher and higher Im not usually into horror BL as much as I enjoy horror as a genre. My main gripe is the characterisation of those within such stories I have a pretty high and Id say reasonable standard and a line that I wouldnt want the characters to cross. But surprisingly Lewellyns character someone I thought I would find disturbing wasnt at all In fact the entire story had me lost for words and took a turn I did not expect at all The ending on the other hand was the most surprising... at first That is to say if theres anything to takeaway from this long review its the Ending section at the end of this review Characters FIRST Shavonnes character. In all honesty I didnt have much to say about him especially in the beginning it just felt like we were reading from his POV which granted was a treat in of itself since all of the mysterious surrounding his life and Lewellyn as well as his misfortunes and misery felt really personal. It was only during the flashback chapters that switched to Lewellyns perspective. By the end of the story I was so tired for Shavonne I wanted to give him a hug. Hes so unlucky to have been born into such a life and the fact that the events of the prison were simply a coincidence and the aftermaths were consequences he had to suffer for a decade it just felt unfair and I could understand his conflict between regretting having met Lewellyn while yearning and loving him Simultaneously. The first 2030 or so chapters had be fooled if Im being honest it was a direction I liked and was interested in. Lewellyns character was what I had originally expected a serial killer Now I dont condone murder obviously and I had originally thought the story would be about Shavonne navigating his relationship with a murderer and slowly losing himself because of his conscience or morals. But then the more I read the more I started to feel like Lewellyn wasnt exactly evil. Like yes hes cynical blunt and uncompromising and he 100 does not care about what others think and what might happen to him as long as Shavonne pays attention to him. So yeah hes messed up but hes not evil He never harmed Lewellyn instead protecting him albeit in a dubious way and when Shavonne first rejected him he didnt do anything I know that wouldve been a standard for normal people BUT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT HE WAS INSANE and I really thought he would be the very least controlling but hes just possessive and protective Even before the backstory came when the two finally became lovers and Shavonne had that new job with Turner the whole monologue Lewellyn gave about not hurting Shavonnes past lovers just because theyve been together but he 100 WILL hurt him for attempted rape revealed his character and his values as a lover. AND THE FACT THAT HE ASKED FOR CONSENT WHEN THEY WERE GETTING INTIMATE Not just sex but touching was something he wanted consent to LIKE BITCH IF FCKING LEWELLYN CAN DO IT WHY CANT A NORMAL KOREAN MEN DO IT IN THE 21ST CENTURY??? You dont understand Ive skipped on SO many manhwas that were said to have had a good story just because the love interest had attempted SA or rape so I was so happy about how Lewellyns character turned out and I applaud the author for not going towards that direction. Hes mentally messed up in the head that cannot be refuted but Ill be damned if I dont give him credit for being a possessive but loving and caring partner to Shavonne like I COULD NOT BELIEVE how obedient he was when Shavonne was working with Turner that I was genuinely starting to feel bad for him being left at home all alone like a sad puppy Story Which brings me to the backstory If Im being honest I lowkey dont want to recall what I just read just in all honesty that was LOWKEY kind of traumatising haha an emotional rollercoaster thats for sure. Not only was it LONG in chapter count but it was just so agonising to read. But at the same time it made their relationship and all of Lewellyns past actions clearer. It was such a dark turn and something I didnt expect I really didnt think they would go so far back and for the author to choose such a unique and interesting direction. In such a small world the only home they had so much happened... Side note: HE LOOKED SO MUCH LIKE LUKA FROM ALIEN STAGE Whats with blondes being used and caged and yearns so much for their salvation Ending My own interpretation of the ending Back then they read a book about the solider and a ballerina and how they were turned to ash with a tin heart left in place. When I first read that around chapter 4050 I didnt think much of it but after realising the parallels of the story and the two characters of Shavonne being the soldier and Lewellyn being the ballerina I felt as though I understood the ending better. When I was reading that last chapter I was a little upset at how quickly it ended and was resolved. I wouldve given it another 5 chapters at the very least not even to close up loose ends but just for them to leave that damn island. But it was a happy ending... right? In the last two chapters the book Through the looking glass was shown next to Shavonnes look. Since fairytales were so significant to the story it would be odd if these title choices were only preferences. Through the looking glass is about a reality different from Alices own and though I dont know much about the story and its morals I have a feeling that perhaps JUST MAYBE it hints to the readers that this is a false reality a near perfect end that reflects Shavonnes dreams Is that why it was sat next to a book titled Shavonnes look? The looking glass being a reflection and look into his desired reality. And why is it that Through the looking glass was given to Lewellyn in the last chapter as the book Shavonne wanted him to read? Ill be honest I have a hard time understanding that last part but I genuinely dont think it was a mistake on the authors end to have had that book be given to Lewellyn instead of Shavonnes own book. Now going back to soldier boy and ballerina haha basically what Im trying to say is wouldnt it be more reasonable/ logical to say that that they didnt manage to leave the island in the end? I saw a comment upon finishing the last chapter discussing how with their physical states as they left was it even possible to make it off the island in time? And I thought about it theyre right. I really wanted them to have a happy ending but the cynical part of me also believes that the ending that was given the perfect and beautiful life they were granted was just a dream before their deaths. Is that why it was so short and abrupt? It was but a last wish before he closed his eyes forever Well be together for the rest of our lives In this cold cruel world Maybe better is just another word for happy. Part of me interpreted this as Shavonne recognising how life will never be smooth sailing that turbulences will happen especially with the war breaking out and themselves a little unstable But another part of me which in all honesty is winning me over thinks that there is double meaning to his words and that it also refers to their possible deaths. Despite living the dream life they had wanted one that Shavonne quoted again in the last chapter he still wouldnt call it a happy life. Do I believe that? Not really. I dont doubt him when he said they still had issues but with the way they had shown their lives in the aftermath in the last chapter I would whole heartedly believe that they were perfectly happy. His words felt strangely poignant and it made me think that perhaps the path they have chosen to walk is death together. Perhaps death is better than a cold cruel world which I believe is where they had passed. Shavonne was 100 in a worse state but with both of them dazed from the gas and trekking through the cold winter on that island which was previously stated to be extremely unbearable and unforgiving during winter I dont doubt that Lewellyn died shortly after Shavonne. Think about it doesnt it parallel with the story of the toy soldier who was an outcast like Shavonne and the ballerina with nothing left but a golden tiara well? The ballerina followed suit as she too was burned to ashes shortly after the soldier. I wonder why the author chose to add that narration in while Lewellyn carried Shavonnes body across the snow I wonder if not to hint at their demise. Haha sorry to burst your bubble Though I dont think this interpretation is an original thought. I believe most readers chose to believe in the possible fantasy rather than accepting their deaths despite knowing theres a possibility it was just a dream Much like Shavonne and Lewellyn had wanted themselves In conclusion it was such a ride I wouldnt say its was my favourite but it certainly took me by surprise and its one of those works that wont be forgettable at all especially with me pondering about the ending...