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Song of the Last Kingdom #2
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White
The epic sequel to the book Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, is a fast-paced, riveting YA fantasy inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.
Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lan's homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdom's greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lan's mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.
Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but he's willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdom—and the girl—he loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find it—in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.
The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.
Years ago, the Elantian colonizers invaded Lan's homeland and killed her mother in their search to uncover the Last Kingdom's greatest the location of its legendary four Demon Gods. Lan's mother devoted her life to destroying the Demon Gods, and Lan is determined to finish her mission. Yet, there are others searching for the gods, too.
Zen knew his soul was forfeit the moment he made a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise, but he's willing to lose himself if it means saving the Kingdom—and the girl—he loves. But to crush the colonizers who have invaded his land he needs more power than even a single Demon God can provide. He needs an army. And he knows exactly where he can find it—in the undead army his great grandfather lead decades ago.
The Elantians may have stolen their throne, but the battle for the Last Kingdom has only begun.
345 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2024
About the author
Amélie Wen Zhao
8 books2,895 followersAmélie Wen Zhao（赵雯）was born in Paris and grew up in Beijing, where she spent her days reenacting tales of legendary heroes, ancient kingdoms, and lost magic at her grandmother’s courtyard house. She attended college in the United States and now resides in New York City, working as a finance professional by day and fantasy author by night. In her spare time, she loves to travel with her family in China, where she’s determined to walk the rivers and lakes of old just like the practitioners in her novels do.
Amélie is the author of the Blood Heir trilogy and the upcoming Song of Silver, Flame Like Night duology.
Amélie is the author of the Blood Heir trilogy and the upcoming Song of Silver, Flame Like Night duology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 755 reviews
May 24, 2024
I was floored by the first book when I first read it, but upon rereading it, it fell a bit short for me. Chinese culture is very permeated within Vietnamese culture, because China ruled Vietnam for 900+ years, but since I grew up in the States, I didn't grow up learning about any of the mythology. I think I enjoyed this so much because it was my first introduction to it.
I find Lan fine as a character. She isn't as Mary Sue as some of the other YA protagonists we keep finding in Asian YA fantasy, much of which falls flat to me. Perhaps I hold it to a higher standard than whiter YA fantasy.
While I adored Zen the first time around, I found myself annoyed at the lack of his character growth. For about two solid minutes, I fell for the actual villain of the story, but that ended up in disappointment.
The last 1/3 of the book moves much quicker than the first 2/3. I wish the pacing would have been more even. Honestly, it moves so fast, a lot of it feels like infodumping, if you can infodump at the end of a series versus the beginning. Perhaps this will be edited out in the final version.
I would recommend this for a younger audience. The first one I would almost recommend to a middle grade audience, but this one gets a little spicier. Like, not that spicy. White people spicy. One chili pepper.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press
I find Lan fine as a character. She isn't as Mary Sue as some of the other YA protagonists we keep finding in Asian YA fantasy, much of which falls flat to me. Perhaps I hold it to a higher standard than whiter YA fantasy.
While I adored Zen the first time around, I found myself annoyed at the lack of his character growth. For about two solid minutes, I fell for the actual villain of the story, but that ended up in disappointment.
The last 1/3 of the book moves much quicker than the first 2/3. I wish the pacing would have been more even. Honestly, it moves so fast, a lot of it feels like infodumping, if you can infodump at the end of a series versus the beginning. Perhaps this will be edited out in the final version.
I would recommend this for a younger audience. The first one I would almost recommend to a middle grade audience, but this one gets a little spicier. Like, not that spicy. White people spicy. One chili pepper.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press
August 30, 2024
Zen took the pendent from her and wound the cord over her hand. Then he slipped his fingers between the threads so that they were palm to palm, hands clasped, bound by the red thread. He tipped his face up to her. "I love you, Song Lian, more than anything else in this world. And I would wish to follow you into the next life and ten thousand more."
4.25 stars
What the heeeeeell??? 😭😭😭
Was not expecting this to end this way, and I'm not okay. Why couldn't we have had an epilogue of them meeting in their next life and feeling that familiarity between their souls? I would have much preferred something like that than to see her years down the line with a son, because of course she got pregnant. If we got an epilogue seeing a new beginning...I think that would have been so beautiful.
Overall, this was on par with the first book, though I didn't really like them basically going to war and only having this small book to do it. I liked the previous book more in that it seemed more intimate with the two main characters, and then the story blew wide open and 340 some pages is not enough to get through everything that was going on.
I also did not reread the first book before I read this, so there were some things that I didn't quite remember, but I don't think that really took away from the experience of this one.
I wish this would have been a trilogy; there was so much to explore here and I think the shortness of the series kind of forced the ending, but this was an enjoyable series.
4.25 stars
What the heeeeeell??? 😭😭😭
Was not expecting this to end this way, and I'm not okay. Why couldn't we have had an epilogue of them meeting in their next life and feeling that familiarity between their souls? I would have much preferred something like that than to see her years down the line with a son, because of course she got pregnant. If we got an epilogue seeing a new beginning...I think that would have been so beautiful.
Overall, this was on par with the first book, though I didn't really like them basically going to war and only having this small book to do it. I liked the previous book more in that it seemed more intimate with the two main characters, and then the story blew wide open and 340 some pages is not enough to get through everything that was going on.
I also did not reread the first book before I read this, so there were some things that I didn't quite remember, but I don't think that really took away from the experience of this one.
I wish this would have been a trilogy; there was so much to explore here and I think the shortness of the series kind of forced the ending, but this was an enjoyable series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2024
this book is the equivalent of watching paint dry in a poorly lit room with no windows and a broken clock ticking in the background.
the first book in this series had its flaws, but despite that, i was able to somewhat see the beauty in it. but the second book i fear suffers from a severe case of sequel syndrome.
the first book in this series had its flaws, but despite that, i was able to somewhat see the beauty in it. but the second book i fear suffers from a severe case of sequel syndrome.
March 8, 2024
3.75/5
So long as we live on, we carry inside us all that they destroyed. That is our triumph.
Thank you HarperVoyager for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
While I didn't like this book as much as the first book, Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, I still found it enjoyable. I really adore the way Zhao writes descriptions of her world, it is always so atmospheric and conjures such beautiful images.
The characters surprised me with their honesty. I found some aspects of their arcs, as well as some of the story arcs, predictable at times, however because they were written so emotionally, I found that I didn't mind. That's what held true for me whilst reading, especially at the climactic ending; the emotive writing is what really pulled me through.
I thought some of the plotlines and endings were a tad simplistic, and I did find myself wishing we delved into some of the heavier aspects more deeply. I particularly wish the politics of the world were more complex. I did appreciate that this book showed not only the violence of the Elantian colonisers, but also that of the imperial family in the eradication of the clans. That was something I wish we could've gone into even deeper. But I understand, too, that this is a YA story and it's still an incredibly meaningful adventure.
Perhaps one day, they would live in a land where they no longer needed to run.
I think this is a very fun and engaging YA fantasy series. If you like xianxia, Chinese mythology retellings, or the shamanism aspects of The Poppy War (without any of the brutality of The Poppy War since this is YA), then I think you'd have a great time reading this series.
So long as we live on, we carry inside us all that they destroyed. That is our triumph.
Thank you HarperVoyager for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
While I didn't like this book as much as the first book, Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, I still found it enjoyable. I really adore the way Zhao writes descriptions of her world, it is always so atmospheric and conjures such beautiful images.
The characters surprised me with their honesty. I found some aspects of their arcs, as well as some of the story arcs, predictable at times, however because they were written so emotionally, I found that I didn't mind. That's what held true for me whilst reading, especially at the climactic ending; the emotive writing is what really pulled me through.
I thought some of the plotlines and endings were a tad simplistic, and I did find myself wishing we delved into some of the heavier aspects more deeply. I particularly wish the politics of the world were more complex. I did appreciate that this book showed not only the violence of the Elantian colonisers, but also that of the imperial family in the eradication of the clans. That was something I wish we could've gone into even deeper. But I understand, too, that this is a YA story and it's still an incredibly meaningful adventure.
Perhaps one day, they would live in a land where they no longer needed to run.
I think this is a very fun and engaging YA fantasy series. If you like xianxia, Chinese mythology retellings, or the shamanism aspects of The Poppy War (without any of the brutality of The Poppy War since this is YA), then I think you'd have a great time reading this series.
Want to read
October 29, 2022i just need to know what happens.
March 20, 2024
3.5⭐️
"So long as we live on, we carry inside us all that they destroyed. That is our triumph"
"Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White" is the sequel to "Song of Silver Flame Like Night." In this duology, inspired by Chinese folklore and mythology, we find ourselves in a colonized kingdom where a girl with a forgotten power holds the key to discovering the secrets of her nation's past and unleashing the sleeping demons that could save them or lead them to destruction.
Dark Star was a sequel that didn't convince me until the end. I thought, given the way the first book ended, this one was going to go in a completely different direction. I feel that in the first half of the book, the plot spends its time turning around in itself, and although we have a little action at the beginning, nothing helps the pacing of the story.
I feel like Amelie could have served us with a much more epic sequel considering the ending of the first book, but instead, she decided to play it safe. For which I don't blame her, but I would have liked to go deeper into certain aspects and secondary characters in addition to having a more complex political intrigue.
I began to enjoy the book more when I stopped thinking about what I would have wanted to happen and instead began to appreciate the perspective it gives us about the corruption that power creates in people and the development of the cost of power (magical power, in this case). The second part of the book is, without a doubt, the one I enjoyed the most. The last battles were epic, and the final sacrifice left me completely moved.
Although I enjoyed Song of Silver much more, this is still a young adult fantasy duology full of magic, folklore, and mythological creatures that make the reading experience unique.
Thanks to @prhinternational for the free book #PRHInternationalPartner
"So long as we live on, we carry inside us all that they destroyed. That is our triumph"
"Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White" is the sequel to "Song of Silver Flame Like Night." In this duology, inspired by Chinese folklore and mythology, we find ourselves in a colonized kingdom where a girl with a forgotten power holds the key to discovering the secrets of her nation's past and unleashing the sleeping demons that could save them or lead them to destruction.
Dark Star was a sequel that didn't convince me until the end. I thought, given the way the first book ended, this one was going to go in a completely different direction. I feel that in the first half of the book, the plot spends its time turning around in itself, and although we have a little action at the beginning, nothing helps the pacing of the story.
I feel like Amelie could have served us with a much more epic sequel considering the ending of the first book, but instead, she decided to play it safe. For which I don't blame her, but I would have liked to go deeper into certain aspects and secondary characters in addition to having a more complex political intrigue.
I began to enjoy the book more when I stopped thinking about what I would have wanted to happen and instead began to appreciate the perspective it gives us about the corruption that power creates in people and the development of the cost of power (magical power, in this case). The second part of the book is, without a doubt, the one I enjoyed the most. The last battles were epic, and the final sacrifice left me completely moved.
Although I enjoyed Song of Silver much more, this is still a young adult fantasy duology full of magic, folklore, and mythological creatures that make the reading experience unique.
Thanks to @prhinternational for the free book #PRHInternationalPartner
January 14, 2024
this was as epic and enthralling as the first one. I'm so glad I picked it up!
January 1, 2024
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
This was the most phenomenal story. Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing style is truly exemplary – I simply could not thin down these quotes, because every one hit me somewhere deep inside. This duology is filled with rich worldbuilding and captivating magic, and the heartbreaking romance almost destroyed me. Tears were shed!
“It was simple, really. She had given her heart to a boy. And he had given his soul to a demon.”
Our two main characters were so easy to relate to and fall in love with – they’re so human and so flawed, and watching them struggle and wage battles against opponents so much bigger than them was truly heart-wrenching. Both of them had gorgeous growth and development throughout both the duology overall and simply this book, and I would pay Amélie Wen Zhao good money for an entire full length book of them being happy and relaxed in a future life together.
“‘If I have only this one night with you, Sòng Lián, it would still be better than a lifetime without you.'”
Even the villains in this novel were brutally fascinating – twisted for sure, but so well-written and captivating all the same. I found that this book started off slowly but really built up and got more and more exciting as it went, and the introduction of new characters (plus getting more Dilaya and Tai content – an absolute win!) was perfectly threaded into the story.
“The prince grinned, his teeth slicked red with blood, as he lifted his arms to the sky. ‘Because I would rather burn down the Heavens than pass through this world without making a mark… without power, we are nothing. And I refuse to be nothing.'”
Side note: I would absolutely die for Dilaya, she’s so damn funny and loyal and strong. Amélie’s side characters were just as powerful and impactful as her main characters! There was no bland, one-dimensional character to be found.
“This love was broken and remade, imperfect in the way their sharp, jagged edges had fit together, yet it was the deepest thing she had ever felt, and the most immutable truth she had known.”
Again, I feel I need to properly emphasise the beauty of the writing of this duology. Blood Heir (by the same author) was equally fascinating and fast-paced, but I didn’t notice the same lyrical, gorgeous, poetic writing style as in this novel. And honestly, I cannot think of a better writing style to suit this ancient Chinese inspired story – it’s so similar to the folktales of my childhood, with the same powerful mythology, and I adore it.
“[She] watched their paths speed toward each other, two stars fated to an inevitable collision: the boy now a young man clad in black and the girl as a young woman in a páo of white gauze, their gazes clashing across a crowded teahouse. Yīn and yáng, coming together, at last.”
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and TBR & Beyond Tours for the ARC copy provided – this series has changed my life, and while this novel did break my heart and crush my soul, I cannot wait to see what else this author comes up with!
“In every life, whether this one or the next or ten thousand more, Zen would jump with her.”
~~~
pre-read review: These covers are insane…
Woo I got accepted for this arc, can’t wait to see what happens to this messy little couple!
This was the most phenomenal story. Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing style is truly exemplary – I simply could not thin down these quotes, because every one hit me somewhere deep inside. This duology is filled with rich worldbuilding and captivating magic, and the heartbreaking romance almost destroyed me. Tears were shed!
“It was simple, really. She had given her heart to a boy. And he had given his soul to a demon.”
Our two main characters were so easy to relate to and fall in love with – they’re so human and so flawed, and watching them struggle and wage battles against opponents so much bigger than them was truly heart-wrenching. Both of them had gorgeous growth and development throughout both the duology overall and simply this book, and I would pay Amélie Wen Zhao good money for an entire full length book of them being happy and relaxed in a future life together.
“‘If I have only this one night with you, Sòng Lián, it would still be better than a lifetime without you.'”
Even the villains in this novel were brutally fascinating – twisted for sure, but so well-written and captivating all the same. I found that this book started off slowly but really built up and got more and more exciting as it went, and the introduction of new characters (plus getting more Dilaya and Tai content – an absolute win!) was perfectly threaded into the story.
“The prince grinned, his teeth slicked red with blood, as he lifted his arms to the sky. ‘Because I would rather burn down the Heavens than pass through this world without making a mark… without power, we are nothing. And I refuse to be nothing.'”
Side note: I would absolutely die for Dilaya, she’s so damn funny and loyal and strong. Amélie’s side characters were just as powerful and impactful as her main characters! There was no bland, one-dimensional character to be found.
“This love was broken and remade, imperfect in the way their sharp, jagged edges had fit together, yet it was the deepest thing she had ever felt, and the most immutable truth she had known.”
Again, I feel I need to properly emphasise the beauty of the writing of this duology. Blood Heir (by the same author) was equally fascinating and fast-paced, but I didn’t notice the same lyrical, gorgeous, poetic writing style as in this novel. And honestly, I cannot think of a better writing style to suit this ancient Chinese inspired story – it’s so similar to the folktales of my childhood, with the same powerful mythology, and I adore it.
“[She] watched their paths speed toward each other, two stars fated to an inevitable collision: the boy now a young man clad in black and the girl as a young woman in a páo of white gauze, their gazes clashing across a crowded teahouse. Yīn and yáng, coming together, at last.”
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and TBR & Beyond Tours for the ARC copy provided – this series has changed my life, and while this novel did break my heart and crush my soul, I cannot wait to see what else this author comes up with!
“In every life, whether this one or the next or ten thousand more, Zen would jump with her.”
~~~
pre-read review: These covers are insane…
Woo I got accepted for this arc, can’t wait to see what happens to this messy little couple!
May 3, 2024
Not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed in this book. I thought the first book was good, but I find myself skim-reading because frankly, the plot's weak. I thought the first book was the book to set everything up so that we could focus on how the characters work together to solve the mystery of the Last Kingdom and ways to eradicate the Elantian + demon gods.
But to my surprise, the author introduced more plot in this book. It's not that it's bad, I just think it's a bit messy. The plot's all over the place. And now we have the Elantian, the demon gods and that crown prince as the vaillains. There are too many plots going on and I personally think that the book would be so much better if the author just focused on one villain.
Lan and Zen's relationship is a tragic one. I was hoping that both would survive, but alas, Zen has committed the unspeakable and the only way for him to atone is to sacrifice himself. It's just soooooo tragic because you can feel the love they have for each other. And that line they said that they will find each other in every life time, I sobbed.
Also, I don't know how to feel about the epilogue where Lan has a kid with Zen because wow, his game is strong. It's such a bittersweet ending. I love that Lan is happy, but hate that she didn't get to reunite with Zen in this life.
Again, I enjoyed reading this, but it's not without flaws.
But to my surprise, the author introduced more plot in this book. It's not that it's bad, I just think it's a bit messy. The plot's all over the place. And now we have the Elantian, the demon gods and that crown prince as the vaillains. There are too many plots going on and I personally think that the book would be so much better if the author just focused on one villain.
Lan and Zen's relationship is a tragic one. I was hoping that both would survive, but alas, Zen has committed the unspeakable and the only way for him to atone is to sacrifice himself. It's just soooooo tragic because you can feel the love they have for each other. And that line they said that they will find each other in every life time, I sobbed.
Also, I don't know how to feel about the epilogue where Lan has a kid with Zen because wow, his game is strong. It's such a bittersweet ending. I love that Lan is happy, but hate that she didn't get to reunite with Zen in this life.
Again, I enjoyed reading this, but it's not without flaws.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
I hope Amélie Wen Zhao earns a lot of money because she’ll be getting many therapy bills over this book, this ending had me in TEARS.
Absolutely gorgeous conclusion to this duology, a wonderful book and I cannot recommend it enough.
Absolutely gorgeous conclusion to this duology, a wonderful book and I cannot recommend it enough.
March 10, 2024
The first half of the first book of Song of the Last Kingdom duology, Song of Silver, Flame Like Night was truly magical and had everything I expected from an Asian fantasy. Although the sequel Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was satisfying and the story ended, I wonder, do we have to read every book in manylogy?! A good idea and plot turn into a flat boring!
STILL
Amélie Wen Zhao's story represents many new and interesting elements, like the story of the Four Demon Gods and their quest for power. Look at the awesome covers of each book, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Crimson Phoenix of the South, the Silver Dragon of the East, and the Azure Tiger of the West, are stunning. The only thing that I wish for is more stories about them.
In this book, like the previous, we follow Lan and Zen on different paths, each determined to finish their missions, but with one goal: to fight for the Last Kingdom and save it.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction Via NetGalley for ARC, I have given my honest review. the pub date is 14 Mar 2024
STILL
Amélie Wen Zhao's story represents many new and interesting elements, like the story of the Four Demon Gods and their quest for power. Look at the awesome covers of each book, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Crimson Phoenix of the South, the Silver Dragon of the East, and the Azure Tiger of the West, are stunning. The only thing that I wish for is more stories about them.
In this book, like the previous, we follow Lan and Zen on different paths, each determined to finish their missions, but with one goal: to fight for the Last Kingdom and save it.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction Via NetGalley for ARC, I have given my honest review. the pub date is 14 Mar 2024
January 9, 2024
NetGalley is my 97% ratio a joke to you😭 why would you deny my request i am hurt
(i’m joking…kind of)
(i’m joking…kind of)
February 7, 2024
A gorgeous an exciting ending to the Song of the Last Kingdom duology! Such beautiful and vibrant scenes painted in this book, much like in the first. The scenery and mythology that make up the world are just stunning. I feel very similarly as I did to the first one. Very Y to the YA, but that doesn’t make it bad. The characters just feel young. I enjoyed the plot! The Demon Gods have risen and both Lan and Zen have chosen sides--and they're not the same side. One looking to end the Demon Gods, the other looking to harness their power. Both have the same goal in mind though, to save The Last Kingdom. I could have used more character growth over the course of the two books, but I’m still going with 4 stars. The books and titles are beautiful and so are the world and writing! The characters fall a little short for me, but maybe that's just me. The world is good enough to still warrant 4 stars.
February 1, 2024
Wow, what happened? I should probably say up front that I genuinely do not know how much of my negative experience reading this book was me, and how much was the book. I really liked the first book in this duology, but within about five pages of this one, I had completely turned on it. I really, really did not care what was happening, and trying to read it after that feeling appeared felt like I was torturing myself. FYI I did end up speed reading the middle of this, and then normally reading the last fifty pages or so, so it's very possible that I missed something. But I just couldn't do it, man. (The ending of the book convinced me I was right in my approach because wow did I hate that ending.)
So anyway, spoilers for the first book below; definitely don't read this book without reading the first. It would be a pointless and confusing endeavor. (It felt like that anyway for me, ouch.)
So this book picks up exactly where the last one left off, with one of the MCs (forgot name) having made a deal with an overly powered demon thing and the other (also name forgotten) having kept hers in check. Their romance is immediately supposed to feel tragic here since he made his bad decision and she made her good one, but I was just annoyed. Also, I was annoyed at the author for destroying the abbey or the school or whatever it was at the end of last book. It just went over the edge of suspenseful into This Is Too Much for me. And I could tell the book wasn't going to explore any of the things I wanted it to, in favor of the things that I liked least in the first book. And I was right.
Spoilers for this book below.
I'm really kind of flabbergasted at my reaction here. I don't know how to explain it. I think if you liked the first book and where it went at the end you will like this one, too, but I don't even know at this point. Don't trust me. I've DNFed like ten or eleven books so far this year and it's only February 1st.
[2.5 stars]
So anyway, spoilers for the first book below; definitely don't read this book without reading the first. It would be a pointless and confusing endeavor. (It felt like that anyway for me, ouch.)
So this book picks up exactly where the last one left off, with one of the MCs (forgot name) having made a deal with an overly powered demon thing and the other (also name forgotten) having kept hers in check. Their romance is immediately supposed to feel tragic here since he made his bad decision and she made her good one, but I was just annoyed. Also, I was annoyed at the author for destroying the abbey or the school or whatever it was at the end of last book. It just went over the edge of suspenseful into This Is Too Much for me. And I could tell the book wasn't going to explore any of the things I wanted it to, in favor of the things that I liked least in the first book. And I was right.
Spoilers for this book below.
I'm really kind of flabbergasted at my reaction here. I don't know how to explain it. I think if you liked the first book and where it went at the end you will like this one, too, but I don't even know at this point. Don't trust me. I've DNFed like ten or eleven books so far this year and it's only February 1st.
[2.5 stars]
Want to read
May 1, 2023I wish books didn't have to take alot of time to be released 😪🤞
January 30, 2024
Amélie Wen Zhao how could you do this to me?? You can’t get away with that ending 😭🤚
May 28, 2024
“Lan,” he whispered. “Will you tell me a story?”
my zenlan...💔
my zenlan...💔
March 15, 2024
The breathtaking conclusion to Amélie Wen Zhao’s Xianxia- based, fantasy duology was an exquisitely detailed, emotional rollercoaster of a read that had me utterly hooked!
The prose was masterfully wrought with emotion that had me in a chokehold the entire time! And, the world-building, multifaceted characters and Qi-based magic system was all gloriously rich in detail too— allowing us to delve ever deeper into the history of The Last Kingdom; including the gods, demons and many generations of magic practitioners who fought not only to free their homeland from oppressors, but also save their cultural heritage from total eradication.
Given the shocking turn of events at the end of Book 1, neither Lan nor Zen are in the best place emotionally as their opposing views, (Lan’s to destroy the Demon Gods and Zen’s to use their power for vengeance) lead them in very different directions. I was particularly intrigued in how they navigated this newfound dynamic and it’s affect on the swoon-worthy, slow-burn romance that’s been simmering between them for some time.
The pacing was quicker than I anticipated too, but did help in conveying the panicked sense of urgency that spurred Lan and Zen into action. I was a little surprised at the brand new villain we are introduced to, though their presence does make a lot of sense plot-wise and closes up a few loose ends that I’ve been wondering about since the first book.
I can’t really say anything more without spoiling the plot, but I will say I did NOT see that ending coming.
Overall, a marvellously immersive and action packed read that lovers of epic fantasy (or poignant tales of triumph and resistance) will definitely want to add their TBRs ASAP.
Also, a thanks to Insta Book Tours & Harper Voyager Uk for the finished copy & my spot on the blog tour.
The prose was masterfully wrought with emotion that had me in a chokehold the entire time! And, the world-building, multifaceted characters and Qi-based magic system was all gloriously rich in detail too— allowing us to delve ever deeper into the history of The Last Kingdom; including the gods, demons and many generations of magic practitioners who fought not only to free their homeland from oppressors, but also save their cultural heritage from total eradication.
Given the shocking turn of events at the end of Book 1, neither Lan nor Zen are in the best place emotionally as their opposing views, (Lan’s to destroy the Demon Gods and Zen’s to use their power for vengeance) lead them in very different directions. I was particularly intrigued in how they navigated this newfound dynamic and it’s affect on the swoon-worthy, slow-burn romance that’s been simmering between them for some time.
The pacing was quicker than I anticipated too, but did help in conveying the panicked sense of urgency that spurred Lan and Zen into action. I was a little surprised at the brand new villain we are introduced to, though their presence does make a lot of sense plot-wise and closes up a few loose ends that I’ve been wondering about since the first book.
I can’t really say anything more without spoiling the plot, but I will say I did NOT see that ending coming.
Overall, a marvellously immersive and action packed read that lovers of epic fantasy (or poignant tales of triumph and resistance) will definitely want to add their TBRs ASAP.
Also, a thanks to Insta Book Tours & Harper Voyager Uk for the finished copy & my spot on the blog tour.
November 13, 2023
》ARC Review: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White《
Amélie Wen Zhao’s follow up to Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is an epic finale that weaves words like poetry, crafts action like song, and sings romance like destiny. This story is one that will make your heart glow, make your heart take flight, and make your heart break. It does not shy away from the inevitable, rather it embraces it, heightening its impact upon arrival. These characters are ones whose fiery spirits inspire, whose journeys strive for more, and whose endings felt just and right. 4.5✨
》The Leads《
Zen. It is with Zen we begin this story. His arc is as tremendous as it is heart-wrenching to see unfold. It becomes clear early on just how inescapable his destiny is. Yet within destiny is fated love, a red string tying his soul to Lan’s. His love for Lan, even as they stand on opposing sides, is unrelenting. He dreams of meeting her in another life, a life of peace where the only worries are first loves, adds a touch of tragedy to his journey. Does his path have a chance for happiness in the end? Read to find out!
Lan. Lan is heroine of the tale. Protecting the hopes and dreams of peace for so many, including herself. Yet selflessly she maneuvers, for she is willing to risk it all to see a new dawn, even if it’s one her eyes will never witness. Lan is beautifully strong heroine, vulnerable yet made of steel. Her heart stays the course, even if that means beating to that of Zen’s. Lan is not one who is willing to forgive easily but that boy in her past haunts her. And the love and bond she has with him is unyielding.
Both Zen and Lan are fantastic leads. They present different perspectives while each evolving into who they are meant to be.
》The Romance《
Zen and Lan’s love story is thing of destiny. An inevitability you want to cherish and protect, even as your heart breaks and breaks and breaks. Every time they are on page together, the story brightens, it breathes, it measures in beauty. However,The romance is where I admit I wish the narrative turned onto a slightly different path. So much of the plot hinges on the fated love story of Zen and Lan, yet they spend more often than not away from one another on page. Yes, we know they love each other— especially when we are in Zen’s chapters, it’s clear as day, but the knowing was not always enough. I needed to see it too. I was desperate to see it because every glimpse was magic, but never enough.
This, for me, is the sole qualm, albeit a mighty one, for I do believe the story could have blossomed all the more had that romance been allowed to touch upon more often.
》The World-Building《
The world-building is extravagant, it’s colorful, it’s powerful and it carries over from the first book and builds and builds within this one. It’s quite the magnificent feat to see develop.
That said, I must admit that my enjoyment of this book is not being reflective in this rating, for it was hard for me to hold on to it. I had a very hard time engaging with the plot, principally its world-building, but the reason I did not lower my rating is because I can’t help but feel this trouble in engaging is of my own doing.
This duology is very intricately crafted, every character, every subplot, every name is likely to lead to somewhere or someone significant. I felt I entered into this book close to blind, and that is because I did not reread nor look for a recap of the first book.
I mention this because if, like me, you have trouble storing a detail-heavy story in your mind and/or it has been a while since you read the first book, I think your experience will be augmented if you walk into this sequel with a good recall of its predecessor.
》The Conclusion《
Zhao has another triumph at hand. Her writing is beautiful and soothing on the soul. Her characters come to life: you laugh with them, you grieve with them, you love with them.
I’m so very glad I read this story.
Thank you NetGalley and RandonHouse for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Amélie Wen Zhao’s follow up to Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is an epic finale that weaves words like poetry, crafts action like song, and sings romance like destiny. This story is one that will make your heart glow, make your heart take flight, and make your heart break. It does not shy away from the inevitable, rather it embraces it, heightening its impact upon arrival. These characters are ones whose fiery spirits inspire, whose journeys strive for more, and whose endings felt just and right. 4.5✨
》The Leads《
Zen. It is with Zen we begin this story. His arc is as tremendous as it is heart-wrenching to see unfold. It becomes clear early on just how inescapable his destiny is. Yet within destiny is fated love, a red string tying his soul to Lan’s. His love for Lan, even as they stand on opposing sides, is unrelenting. He dreams of meeting her in another life, a life of peace where the only worries are first loves, adds a touch of tragedy to his journey. Does his path have a chance for happiness in the end? Read to find out!
Lan. Lan is heroine of the tale. Protecting the hopes and dreams of peace for so many, including herself. Yet selflessly she maneuvers, for she is willing to risk it all to see a new dawn, even if it’s one her eyes will never witness. Lan is beautifully strong heroine, vulnerable yet made of steel. Her heart stays the course, even if that means beating to that of Zen’s. Lan is not one who is willing to forgive easily but that boy in her past haunts her. And the love and bond she has with him is unyielding.
Both Zen and Lan are fantastic leads. They present different perspectives while each evolving into who they are meant to be.
》The Romance《
Zen and Lan’s love story is thing of destiny. An inevitability you want to cherish and protect, even as your heart breaks and breaks and breaks. Every time they are on page together, the story brightens, it breathes, it measures in beauty. However,The romance is where I admit I wish the narrative turned onto a slightly different path. So much of the plot hinges on the fated love story of Zen and Lan, yet they spend more often than not away from one another on page. Yes, we know they love each other— especially when we are in Zen’s chapters, it’s clear as day, but the knowing was not always enough. I needed to see it too. I was desperate to see it because every glimpse was magic, but never enough.
This, for me, is the sole qualm, albeit a mighty one, for I do believe the story could have blossomed all the more had that romance been allowed to touch upon more often.
》The World-Building《
The world-building is extravagant, it’s colorful, it’s powerful and it carries over from the first book and builds and builds within this one. It’s quite the magnificent feat to see develop.
That said, I must admit that my enjoyment of this book is not being reflective in this rating, for it was hard for me to hold on to it. I had a very hard time engaging with the plot, principally its world-building, but the reason I did not lower my rating is because I can’t help but feel this trouble in engaging is of my own doing.
This duology is very intricately crafted, every character, every subplot, every name is likely to lead to somewhere or someone significant. I felt I entered into this book close to blind, and that is because I did not reread nor look for a recap of the first book.
I mention this because if, like me, you have trouble storing a detail-heavy story in your mind and/or it has been a while since you read the first book, I think your experience will be augmented if you walk into this sequel with a good recall of its predecessor.
》The Conclusion《
Zhao has another triumph at hand. Her writing is beautiful and soothing on the soul. Her characters come to life: you laugh with them, you grieve with them, you love with them.
I’m so very glad I read this story.
Thank you NetGalley and RandonHouse for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Shelved as 'paused'
February 27, 2024oh my gosh guys so a few months ago I got declined for this arc … saw it pop up again on my dashboard, shamelessly requested it again 🫣 AND I GOT APPROVED
inspirational story to never give up on your dreams xoxo
Ps on a serious note I literally cannot wait for this sequel 😍🤌🏽
inspirational story to never give up on your dreams xoxo
Ps on a serious note I literally cannot wait for this sequel 😍🤌🏽
June 8, 2024
THIS SEQUEL!!!!!!
It was AMAZING. I will not lie, it took some time before it really got interesting again, but from that point on, I devoured it. The last three chapters or so…! *gasps in shock* They were sooo heart-wrenching and just that alone will make me recommend this duology to literally EVERYBODY I know. It was soooooooo good and it has my whole heart ♥️ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS DUOLOGY!!!
It was AMAZING. I will not lie, it took some time before it really got interesting again, but from that point on, I devoured it. The last three chapters or so…! *gasps in shock* They were sooo heart-wrenching and just that alone will make me recommend this duology to literally EVERYBODY I know. It was soooooooo good and it has my whole heart ♥️ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS DUOLOGY!!!
October 18, 2023
This book gave me such conflicted feelings. The first book I finished in a day and absolutely loved, this one took me over a month to finish. I don't think I've ever read a book that was both rushed and slow as hell.
When I first started the series, I thought it was a breath of fresh air, magic that's not rooted in Medieval Europe. I also thought each Demon God was going to get it's own book and boy was I wrong. I think that was part of what made it feel rushed.
Also the villain was swapped in this book, so the villain that has been built up for the last 500+ pages get his end almost like a footnote.
The ending was where I was real conflicted, I feel like the final battle was two books early and it's the same story for the final chapter. It did pull on my heartstrings though because of how Zhao had set up the love between Zen and Lan a book previously.
Overall I would recommend you read this book if you read the first, but based on this book's lackluster final third, I'm not sure I'd recommend this series to a new reader.
*Special thanks to NetGalley.com for an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of the book.
When I first started the series, I thought it was a breath of fresh air, magic that's not rooted in Medieval Europe. I also thought each Demon God was going to get it's own book and boy was I wrong. I think that was part of what made it feel rushed.
Also the villain was swapped in this book, so the villain that has been built up for the last 500+ pages get his end almost like a footnote.
The ending was where I was real conflicted, I feel like the final battle was two books early and it's the same story for the final chapter. It did pull on my heartstrings though because of how Zhao had set up the love between Zen and Lan a book previously.
Overall I would recommend you read this book if you read the first, but based on this book's lackluster final third, I'm not sure I'd recommend this series to a new reader.
*Special thanks to NetGalley.com for an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of the book.
April 25, 2024
This isn't bad, it's just so much of a romance focus (in both POVs) and I don't really care for that in my Fantasy-- especially since that's not really where I thought we were going at the end of the first novel.
So it's fine. Not a book for me, but fine.
Audiobook Notes:
Normally I find male narrators to be pretty cringe with female voices-- making them sound vapid, stupid, young, etc...
So it's weird that in this it's the female narrator whose female voice annoys tf out of me. The way she voices the female characters drives me insane.
So it's fine. Not a book for me, but fine.
Audiobook Notes:
Normally I find male narrators to be pretty cringe with female voices-- making them sound vapid, stupid, young, etc...
So it's weird that in this it's the female narrator whose female voice annoys tf out of me. The way she voices the female characters drives me insane.
September 18, 2023
Oh man, oh man. Thank you, THANK YOU to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me a chance at reading this before publication.
Okay. CDrama fans who read this - Till the End of the Moon meets Back to the Brink, right? Because I was FEELIN' those vibes. Heavily.
This picks up right where we left off. Our lovers separated due to their choices of the gods they became bound to. Both on different paths to end the conflict or the upcoming doom that is to take place.
I'm a little sad this was a duology because I feel there is more here that can be expanded upon - world building, characters, conflict. I mean, the saddest bit was having build the villain up in book one to find him non existent in this book. I would have liked more conflict thrown their way in terms of him or his minions.
However, the book ended beautifully and the way that the book SHOULD end. Though if you had seen Till the End of the Moon (and listened to the bonus audio), well, you know that's the ending I wanted for them. BUT STILL, it was good, and I loved this duology and I'm ready for any other cdrama-esque stories the author is gonna write.
Okay. CDrama fans who read this - Till the End of the Moon meets Back to the Brink, right? Because I was FEELIN' those vibes. Heavily.
This picks up right where we left off. Our lovers separated due to their choices of the gods they became bound to. Both on different paths to end the conflict or the upcoming doom that is to take place.
I'm a little sad this was a duology because I feel there is more here that can be expanded upon - world building, characters, conflict. I mean, the saddest bit was having build the villain up in book one to find him non existent in this book. I would have liked more conflict thrown their way in terms of him or his minions.
However, the book ended beautifully and the way that the book SHOULD end. Though if you had seen Till the End of the Moon (and listened to the bonus audio), well, you know that's the ending I wanted for them. BUT STILL, it was good, and I loved this duology and I'm ready for any other cdrama-esque stories the author is gonna write.
February 13, 2024
I really could not get into this book. It moved so slowly and I feel like there was still a lot of info dumping in this book. Still, I feel like I didn't get a good sense of the world. The characters also weren't as strongly developed as I would have liked. They stayed flat throughout the book and the most interesting parts were when they interacted together. It takes awhile for Lan to appear and even then, I just wanted to find out how they were going to handle Zen and the Black Tortoise. There was no depth to the characters and I wasn't invested in either one of them. The story moved so slowly that I feel like the ending was just anticlimactic. I was rather disappointed at the ending and part of it is because I think this whole world and the character arcs could have been developed more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 17, 2024
I received an AD/PR copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Insta Book Tours.
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is the breathtaking second book in this duology, and I can honestly say it was my favourite book of the two.
We take off where book one left us, and thankfully, there wasn't as much repetition of the qi based magic system as there was in book one. This book took my breath away. The main characters developed so well in this book and are drawn to work together to defeat not one but two enemies and two demon gods. The scene settings were absolutely amazing and so polished I felt I was there within the story watching from the sidelines.
So much came together in this book, and the ending was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The love story element felt more real in this book, too, for some reason, and I didn't want the story to end.
Anyone who's a fan of fantasy, mythology and magic must read this duology!
Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is the breathtaking second book in this duology, and I can honestly say it was my favourite book of the two.
We take off where book one left us, and thankfully, there wasn't as much repetition of the qi based magic system as there was in book one. This book took my breath away. The main characters developed so well in this book and are drawn to work together to defeat not one but two enemies and two demon gods. The scene settings were absolutely amazing and so polished I felt I was there within the story watching from the sidelines.
So much came together in this book, and the ending was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The love story element felt more real in this book, too, for some reason, and I didn't want the story to end.
Anyone who's a fan of fantasy, mythology and magic must read this duology!
February 3, 2024
6/5 stars but like
January 7, 2024
2024 reads: 1/250
2024 tbr: 1/120
i received a complimentary review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
in this sequel to song of silver, flame like night, lan is continuing to carry out her mother’s mission of destroying the demon gods. this is not an easy task from the start, but it’s made harder when others are searching for the demon gods for their own purposes. meanwhile, zen is willing to do whatever it takes to save the kingdom, and lan, including losing his own soul.
i have been eagerly awaiting this book for over a year, and i am so glad that it exceeded my expectations! the angst from book one was multiplied in this book and i was 100% here for it. the beautiful prose in this book also drew me in and i found myself unable to put this book down. i can’t wait to read what amélie went zhao writes next!
2024 tbr: 1/120
i received a complimentary review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
in this sequel to song of silver, flame like night, lan is continuing to carry out her mother’s mission of destroying the demon gods. this is not an easy task from the start, but it’s made harder when others are searching for the demon gods for their own purposes. meanwhile, zen is willing to do whatever it takes to save the kingdom, and lan, including losing his own soul.
i have been eagerly awaiting this book for over a year, and i am so glad that it exceeded my expectations! the angst from book one was multiplied in this book and i was 100% here for it. the beautiful prose in this book also drew me in and i found myself unable to put this book down. i can’t wait to read what amélie went zhao writes next!
January 3, 2024
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Side note: I couldn't be more satisfied knowing this is the last book I read in 2023. My eyes are puffy, my heart is full, and I feel happy/sad at the same time. As this is the final book in this duology, mild spoilers ahead for those who haven't read book 1~!
TL;DR: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was a satisfying conclusion to this duology. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to think at the start because it took a direction that I wasn't expecting. I thought there would be more action but this is a slower-paced fantasy that includes more intricate world-building and in-depth exploration of historical and thematic concepts. That said, the culminating battles and the way the threads tie together in the end are bittersweet but no less rewarding. Lan and Zen were great leading characters who were easy to root for and made me love the story of the Last Kingdom.
As the second book in a duology, I can't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. However, the second book delves deeper into the history of the Last Kingdom and we learn more about the heritage that was lost over the years under imperial rule followed by colonisation. Despite this progressing at a much more sedate pace than I expected, I would say being patient pays off in the end when the full story is revealed and the threads all tie together. This is a story about strength, bravery, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. I continued to love the way the author explored the themes of cultural loss due to forced assimilation and total eradication of indigenous peoples, alongside the insidiousness of existing under colonial rule. It explores the power-hungry greed of humans and how most of the time, we are ultimately responsible for our downfall. None of this is explored in a heavy-handed way but it's still sharp and poignant and gets the message across well. There's still a lot to learn about this world and the author gives us a lot of information but again, despite the slower pace, it never felt overwhelming. Wen Zhao knows how to weave a beautiful tapestry and she did a fantastic job in bringing this world full of demons, magic, and resilient people to life. With her well-balanced descriptive prose, I was able to picture scene after scene playing out in my head like a movie and I think fans of the Xianxia genre and even those who are new to it would highly appreciate it!
Following the events of book one, we see Lan and Zen power forward on their paths. There's a lot of anger, fear and sadness that follows them but they are resolute in their goal and the role they think they must play. One of my favourite aspects of their arc is that it always comes back to the red thread of fate that ties souls together—it's always been one of my favourite proverbs and the way it's used here to weave their story fit so perfectly. Throughout the book, they undergo a lot of personal and mental growth as they discover a new enemy, uncover unsettling truths behind the kingdom's history, and come to understand their balancing role in setting their world right. It's heart-achingly bittersweet and I'm not ashamed to admit that I shed some tears as the story came to an end. Ultimately though, my heart felt full by the time I got to the last page and I closed the book feeling satisfied.
As much as I enjoyed this sequel and conclusion, there were elements that I wished had been done better. Similar to what I felt in the first book, the side characters solely exist to push the story along and that even goes for some of their enemies. After a certain point, the Elantians disappeared from the story only to suddenly appear and 'return' to their pivotal role at the end. It would've been great to see what happens with them in the time our MCs are also figuring things out. I was also slightly disappointed that certain characters didn't get a bigger role here and even feel like it might've been a missed opportunity (especially with Shan Jun) and I was so sad when he was omitted from a good portion of the book. Surprisingly, there was one character who I didn't expect to empathise with or understand but grew to appreciate a lot by the end (I'm sure if you've read book one you'll know who I mean, lol).
Overall, despite the slower pace and the lack of secondary character development, I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion to the Song of the Last Kingdom duology. There's a gradual build-up and intense climax which all leads to a satisfying end where the loose ends are tied up, and hope as well as joy shine through in new beginnings.
Side note: I couldn't be more satisfied knowing this is the last book I read in 2023. My eyes are puffy, my heart is full, and I feel happy/sad at the same time. As this is the final book in this duology, mild spoilers ahead for those who haven't read book 1~!
TL;DR: Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was a satisfying conclusion to this duology. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to think at the start because it took a direction that I wasn't expecting. I thought there would be more action but this is a slower-paced fantasy that includes more intricate world-building and in-depth exploration of historical and thematic concepts. That said, the culminating battles and the way the threads tie together in the end are bittersweet but no less rewarding. Lan and Zen were great leading characters who were easy to root for and made me love the story of the Last Kingdom.
As the second book in a duology, I can't go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. However, the second book delves deeper into the history of the Last Kingdom and we learn more about the heritage that was lost over the years under imperial rule followed by colonisation. Despite this progressing at a much more sedate pace than I expected, I would say being patient pays off in the end when the full story is revealed and the threads all tie together. This is a story about strength, bravery, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. I continued to love the way the author explored the themes of cultural loss due to forced assimilation and total eradication of indigenous peoples, alongside the insidiousness of existing under colonial rule. It explores the power-hungry greed of humans and how most of the time, we are ultimately responsible for our downfall. None of this is explored in a heavy-handed way but it's still sharp and poignant and gets the message across well. There's still a lot to learn about this world and the author gives us a lot of information but again, despite the slower pace, it never felt overwhelming. Wen Zhao knows how to weave a beautiful tapestry and she did a fantastic job in bringing this world full of demons, magic, and resilient people to life. With her well-balanced descriptive prose, I was able to picture scene after scene playing out in my head like a movie and I think fans of the Xianxia genre and even those who are new to it would highly appreciate it!
Following the events of book one, we see Lan and Zen power forward on their paths. There's a lot of anger, fear and sadness that follows them but they are resolute in their goal and the role they think they must play. One of my favourite aspects of their arc is that it always comes back to the red thread of fate that ties souls together—it's always been one of my favourite proverbs and the way it's used here to weave their story fit so perfectly. Throughout the book, they undergo a lot of personal and mental growth as they discover a new enemy, uncover unsettling truths behind the kingdom's history, and come to understand their balancing role in setting their world right. It's heart-achingly bittersweet and I'm not ashamed to admit that I shed some tears as the story came to an end. Ultimately though, my heart felt full by the time I got to the last page and I closed the book feeling satisfied.
As much as I enjoyed this sequel and conclusion, there were elements that I wished had been done better. Similar to what I felt in the first book, the side characters solely exist to push the story along and that even goes for some of their enemies. After a certain point, the Elantians disappeared from the story only to suddenly appear and 'return' to their pivotal role at the end. It would've been great to see what happens with them in the time our MCs are also figuring things out. I was also slightly disappointed that certain characters didn't get a bigger role here and even feel like it might've been a missed opportunity (especially with Shan Jun) and I was so sad when he was omitted from a good portion of the book. Surprisingly, there was one character who I didn't expect to empathise with or understand but grew to appreciate a lot by the end (I'm sure if you've read book one you'll know who I mean, lol).
Overall, despite the slower pace and the lack of secondary character development, I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion to the Song of the Last Kingdom duology. There's a gradual build-up and intense climax which all leads to a satisfying end where the loose ends are tied up, and hope as well as joy shine through in new beginnings.
February 5, 2024
3.5 stars!! This was a lovely sequel. As usual, Amelie When Zhao’s prose and elaborate world building did not disappoint. Once I picked up the book, I was again swept into the rich Chinese folklore Zhao had so meticulously crafted her world upon in the first book.
The tension between Zen and Lan in the first half of the book was perfectly executed, and, while I do wish they had spent less of the book apart, I do realize that it was necessary plot wise — and contributed to the angst.
This book was action-packed and high stakes, which kept the story engaging, though I did feel as though the stakes being so high throughout made it so that no singular moment was uniquely very distressing. The whole book was almost uniformly distressing. The very end did make me quite emotional, though.
The tension between Zen and Lan in the first half of the book was perfectly executed, and, while I do wish they had spent less of the book apart, I do realize that it was necessary plot wise — and contributed to the angst.
This book was action-packed and high stakes, which kept the story engaging, though I did feel as though the stakes being so high throughout made it so that no singular moment was uniquely very distressing. The whole book was almost uniformly distressing. The very end did make me quite emotional, though.
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