Diksia.com - Love Like the Galaxy is a popular light novel written by Guan Xin Ze Luan, a Chinese author who specializes in historical romance and fantasy. The novel is set in the Tang dynasty, a period of cultural flourishing and political turmoil in ancient China. The novel tells the story of Ling Buyi, a young general who falls in love with Cheng Shaoshang, a princess who disguises herself as a man to escape from her scheming relatives.
The novel is full of twists and turns, as the lovers face various challenges and enemies, such as the ambitious Emperor Wen, the mysterious Marquis Chengyang, and the ruthless Huo clan. The novel is also adapted into a TV series, which has gained a lot of popularity and acclaim among viewers.
In this article, we will explore the novel in more detail, including its plot, characters, themes, and reception. We will also compare and contrast the novel and the TV series, and discuss some of the differences and similarities between them. If you are a fan of historical romance and adventure, you will definitely enjoy reading Love Like the Galaxy.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with the introduction of Cheng Shaoshang, the daughter of the King of Cheng and the Princess of Shu. She is a smart and brave girl, who loves to learn martial arts and literature. However, her life is turned upside down when her parents die in a war, and she is left alone with her aunt, who wants to marry her off to a powerful noble for her own benefit. To escape from her fate, Cheng Shaoshang disguises herself as a boy and runs away from home, taking the name of Cheng Shao.
She meets Ling Buyi, the foster son of Emperor Wen and the biological son of Huo Junhua and Marquis Chengyang. Ling Buyi is a talented and handsome general, who is loyal to the emperor and respected by the people. He is also haunted by the past, as he witnessed the massacre of his clan by the emperor’s order when he was a child. He vows to find out the truth and avenge his family.
Ling Buyi and Cheng Shao become friends and comrades, as they join the army and fight against the enemies of the empire. Along the way, they encounter many dangers and adventures, such as bandits, assassins, rebels, and traitors. They also develop feelings for each other, but they have to hide their true identities and emotions, as they face the obstacles of their status, gender, and loyalty.
The novel is divided into four parts, each corresponding to a season and a stage of their relationship. The first part is Spring, where they meet and become friends. The second part is Summer, where they fall in love and face their first crisis. The third part is Autumn, where they are separated and betrayed by their enemies. The fourth part is Winter, where they reunite and overcome their final challenge.
Characters
The novel has a large and diverse cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, and role in the story. Here are some of the main characters and their descriptions:
- Ling Buyi: The male protagonist of the novel. He is a young and handsome general, who is fostered by Emperor Wen and is the biological son of Huo Junhua and Marquis Chengyang. He is brave, loyal, intelligent, and righteous, but he is also cold, ruthless, and vengeful. He falls in love with Cheng Shao, but he does not know that she is a girl and a princess. He is also conflicted by his loyalty to the emperor and his desire to avenge his clan.
- Cheng Shaoshang: The female protagonist of the novel. She is a young and beautiful princess, who is the daughter of the King of Cheng and the Princess of Shu. She is smart, courageous, kind, and cheerful, but she is also stubborn, reckless, and naive. She disguises herself as a boy and runs away from home, taking the name of Cheng Shao. She becomes friends and lovers with Ling Buyi, but she does not reveal her true identity and status to him. She is also loyal to her kingdom and her people, and she opposes the emperor’s tyranny.
- Emperor Wen: The main antagonist of the novel. He is the emperor of the Tang dynasty, and the foster father of Ling Buyi. He is ambitious, cunning, cruel, and paranoid, and he wants to unify the whole world under his rule. He is responsible for the massacre of the Huo clan, and he also plots to kill Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang, who he sees as threats to his power. He is obsessed with finding the legendary Star of Destiny, a powerful artifact that can grant him eternal life and divine power.
- Marquis Chengyang: A mysterious and influential noble, who is the biological father of Ling Buyi and the former lover of Huo Junhua. He is wise, noble, generous, and mysterious, and he has a lot of secrets and connections. He is the leader of the Chengyang Sect, a secret organization that opposes the emperor and protects the people. He helps Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang in their journey, and he also reveals the truth about their past and their destiny.
- Huo Junhua: The mother of Ling Buyi and the former lover of Marquis Chengyang. She is a beautiful and powerful woman, who is the leader of the Huo clan, a noble and martial family. She is loyal, brave, proud, and passionate, and she loves Marquis Chengyang and Ling Buyi deeply. She dies in the massacre of the Huo clan, but she leaves behind a legacy and a prophecy for her son.
Themes
The novel explores various themes, such as love, destiny, loyalty, identity, and power. Some of the main themes are:
- Love: The novel is a romance story, and it shows the love between Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang, who overcome many difficulties and challenges to be together. Their love is pure, sincere, and passionate, but it is also complicated, forbidden, and tragic. They have to hide their true feelings and identities, and they have to face the opposition of their families, friends, and enemies. They also have to choose between their love and their duty, and they have to sacrifice a lot for each other. Their love is like the galaxy, vast, beautiful, and eternal, but also distant, dangerous, and unpredictable.
- Destiny: The novel is also a fantasy story, and it involves the concept of destiny, which is a force that determines the fate of the characters and the world. The novel introduces the Star of Destiny, a mythical artifact that can grant the wishes of the one who possesses it. The emperor wants to obtain the Star of Destiny, and he believes that he is the chosen one who can rule the world. However, the novel also reveals that Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang are the true owners of the Star of Destiny, and they have a special connection with it. They are the ones who can change the course of history and bring peace and harmony to the world. However, they also have to face the consequences and responsibilities of their destiny, and they have to make difficult choices and sacrifices.
- Loyalty: The novel is also a historical story, and it depicts the political and social situation of the Tang dynasty, which is a period of turmoil and conflict. The novel shows the loyalty of the characters, who have to choose their sides and allegiances in the war. The novel presents different perspectives and motivations of the characters, and it shows the complexity and ambiguity of loyalty. Some characters are loyal to the emperor, who they believe is the rightful ruler and the protector of the empire. Some characters are loyal to their kingdoms, who they believe are the victims and the rebels of the emperor’s oppression. Some characters are loyal to their families, who they love and respect. Some characters are loyal to their friends, who they trust and support. Some characters are loyal to themselves, who they follow their own beliefs and desires.
Reception
The novel has received a lot of positive feedback and praise from the readers and the critics, who have enjoyed the novel’s plot, characters, themes, and writing style. The novel has been praised for its originality, creativity, and depth, and for its balance of romance, adventure, and fantasy. The novel has also been praised for its historical accuracy and cultural richness, and for its portrayal of the Tang dynasty and its people. The novel has also been praised for its emotional impact and its message of hope and love.
The novel has also been adapted into a TV series, which has also gained a lot of popularity and acclaim among the viewers. The TV series has been praised for its faithful and respectful adaptation of the novel, and for its high-quality production and performance. The TV series has also been praised for its visual effects and its soundtrack, and for its enhancement of the novel’s atmosphere and mood. The TV series has also been praised for its cast and their chemistry, and for their portrayal of the novel’s characters and their emotions.
Comparison and Contrast
The novel and the TV series are both based on the same story and the same characters, but they also have some differences and similarities. Some of the main differences and similarities are:
- Differences: The novel and the TV series have some differences in their details, such as their length, their pace, their scenes, their dialogues, and their endings. The novel is longer and more detailed than the TV series, and it has more chapters and more events. The novel is also slower and more descriptive than the TV series, and it has more narration and more explanation. The TV series, on the other hand, is shorter and more concise than the novel, and it has fewer episodes and fewer scenes. The TV series is also faster and more action-packed than the novel, and it has less narration and more dialogue. The TV series also changes some of the scenes and the dialogues from the novel, and it adds some new elements and characters. The TV series also has a different ending from the novel, which is more dramatic and more satisfying for the viewers.
- Similarities: The novel and the TV series have some similarities in their main aspects, such as their plot, their characters, their themes, and their reception. The novel and the TV series follow the same storyline and the same events, and they have the same twists and turns. The novel and the TV series also have the same characters and their personalities, and they have the same relationships and interactions. The novel and the TV series also explore the same themes and their meanings, and they have the same message and tone. The novel and the TV series also receive the same feedback and praise from the readers and the viewers, and they have the same popularity and impact.
Love Like the Galaxy is a novel that combines romance, adventure, and fantasy, and it is set in the historical and cultural context of the Tang dynasty. The novel is written by Guan Xin Ze Luan, a Chinese author who specializes in historical romance and fantasy. The novel is also adapted into a TV series, which is faithful and respectful to the novel, and which enhances the novel’s atmosphere and mood. The novel and the TV series are both loved and appreciated by the fans and the critics, who enjoy the novel’s plot, characters, themes, and writing style. The novel and the TV series are both examples of high-quality and creative works, and they are both worth reading and watching.
