“If I don’t forgive you… Who else can?”

Shen Feng, the youngest of the Shen family, once vowed to surpass his childhood mentor and first love, the powerful and graceful Xiao Xing.

But when a deadly feud erupts between their families, their bond is torn apart by betrayal and bloodshed. Ordered to destroy the Xiao family, Shen Feng defies fate and spares Xiao Xing—knowing it means losing him forever.

Fifty years later, after his father’s assassination, Shen Feng returns home… only to come face to face with the man he thought he’d lost for good. As past and present collide, can love survive the shadows of loss and regret…?

The premise is what pulled me into this one. I love stories of betrayal and intrigue, and I love them even more when romance is involved. As the official blurb states, the Xiao family is accused of treacherous doings, and the Shen family, a formerly close ally, is ordered to slaughter them in entirety. Shen Feng, who grew up with Xiao Xing at his side, wounds his mentor, but cannot bring himself to murder him. Years of respect and admiration, plus the stirrings of young love, has prevented Shen Feng from making the killing blow, and he lets Xiao Xing escape.

Shen Feng lives with the guilt of sparing Xiao Xing’s life for decades. In a way, Shen Feng dishonored Xiao Xing by allowing him to live, instead of performing a brave fight to the death. Running away is usually the coward’s option. Thus Shen Feng believes that Xiao Xing only feels hatred for him for letting him go.

Despite that, Shen Feng has always kept his eyes open for Xiao Xing to reappear after all these years, often searching him out. After 50 years (admittedly I do not get this time table), the patriarch of the Shen family is found murdered, and there are some after effects of magic that trace the killing back to the Xiao family. Only, there’s only one Xiao left–Xing. Shen Feng, now a young man, seeks Xiao Xing out because he refuses to believe his former mentor and first love would dare murder his father.

The reunion is unexpectedly calm and devoid of the hatred Shen Feng anticipated would come from Xiao Xing. Shen Feng is even able to share some of his feelings out loud:

Xiao Xing and Shen Feng team up to solve the mystery behind the death of Feng’s father, and we learn more about the two characters along the way. Of course, this is a first volume, so the mystery is nowhere near close to being solved, but we do get some clues, as well as see how oblivious Xiao Xing is to the depths of Shen Feng’s feelings.

I really like the art style of this manga. The background scenes (buildings, environment, etc.) are richly drawn and clearly indicate a Chinese influence, along with detailed clothing and accessories. The characters are handsome but distinct, and I like that the lines feel less heavy and more delicate (dare I say elegant) than some other manga I’ve read. It’s a gorgeous way to illustrate what I think will be a gorgeous story.

The manga drew me in, and I have to admit, it tugs on your heartstrings. It is painful to see Shen Feng run through the gamut of feelings for Xiao Xing, and for his love to go unreciprocated; dismissed, even. My gut tells me Xiao Xing is more aware than he lets on, and perhaps still feels like he is in the mentorship role, as opposed to on equal footing with Feng Shen now that he’s grown up. It is common for mentors and teachers to shut down students’ feelings because of the potential power imbalance and age difference, but in this manga, fifty whole years pass (!!), so you’d think Xiao Xing may be more open to reciprocate Feng Shen’s feelings (if they are there. I think they are, or will grow soon). Just my theory, though!

With an interesting mystery–not just about the family murders, but Shen Feng’s mysterious brothers, and additional parties who disappear in and out of the story–Touched by Twilight feels like a unique entry to the Boys’ Love genre. I read a lot of BL, and not enough historicals (with the exception of Painter of the Night and Steel Under Silk, which are Korean manhwa), so this feels refreshing to me. Its focus is heavily on plot, and lighter on the romance this time, and is suitable for ages sixteen and older. If you are a teenage reader interested in dipping your toes in to historical BL, this would be a good one to try! If you are an older BL reader, don’t look this one over. I am definitely interested in reading volume two to get more clues as to what’s going on with the Shen family, and if Xiao Xing will ever take Shen Feng on as an equal and potential lover rather than a former trainee.

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Touched by Twilight will release December 23, 2025 (early next week!). It will be available in print and digital. You can preorder now, or buy directly from the publisher on release to show your support, or purchase online from major booksellers everywhere.