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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I'm conflicted on this one. Not going to be a lengthy review because I'm still trying to figure out how I feel.
It was a relatively slow-paced book but I didn't find it boring. However, the magic system wasn't the best imo. It was difficult to grasp and wasn't fully explained (apart from those with jades).
I actually enjoyed the love triangle, which was surprising because I usually absolutely hate them. Lei was my favourite, but Sky was strong too.
I enjoyed this retelling of Mulan, but it did infuriate me at times, especially the ending. You're telling me these characters went through hell together only for them to turn around and do THAT? I'm so mad right now. I didn't mind the actual ending, but the way we got there in those last few pages wasn't it. It was hard to believe the characters would act that way.
It was a relatively slow-paced book but I didn't find it boring. However, the magic system wasn't the best imo. It was difficult to grasp and wasn't fully explained (apart from those with jades).
I actually enjoyed the love triangle, which was surprising because I usually absolutely hate them. Lei was my favourite, but Sky was strong too.
I enjoyed this retelling of Mulan, but it did infuriate me at times, especially the ending. You're telling me these characters went through hell together only for them to turn around and do THAT? I'm so mad right now. I didn't mind the actual ending, but the way we got there in those last few pages wasn't it. It was hard to believe the characters would act that way.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
didn’t really do it for me in the first half but it got more interesting as time went on - tbd if i will read the sequel
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My formal review is coming. My thoughts are that I'm glad I never saw Disney's Mulan so I didn't have the Disneyfication of the fairytale to compare it to. Just that I knew the premise. The courage Meilin showed was inspiring. How she was treating, sad. I will read book 2.
FORMAL REVIEW
Star Rating: 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡
Spice Rating: 🌶½
This isn't the Mouse's Mulan. This story is raw, gutsy, daring. It takes a realistic approach rather than a fairytale approach. It is filled with the real hardships of the day in and day out living as a soldier, living with a spirit speaking to you, practicing the dark magic in secret.
I was captivated by this story. It had me on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns. I was so angry for Meilin at the end. It was unfair. But she got to live. I don't know which was better.
If you can put aside your preconceived notions about what this story should be and embrace K.X. Song's blessed tome, you will be in for a journey that is amazing.
On a personal note, about a year ago, I was shown this book and the covers of several other books. I was asked based solely on the covers of the books, which one would I read. Without a doubt, I said, The Night Ends With Fire.
Thank you to the Author, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.
FORMAL REVIEW
Star Rating: 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡
Spice Rating: 🌶½
This isn't the Mouse's Mulan. This story is raw, gutsy, daring. It takes a realistic approach rather than a fairytale approach. It is filled with the real hardships of the day in and day out living as a soldier, living with a spirit speaking to you, practicing the dark magic in secret.
I was captivated by this story. It had me on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns. I was so angry for Meilin at the end. It was unfair. But she got to live. I don't know which was better.
If you can put aside your preconceived notions about what this story should be and embrace K.X. Song's blessed tome, you will be in for a journey that is amazing.
On a personal note, about a year ago, I was shown this book and the covers of several other books. I was asked based solely on the covers of the books, which one would I read. Without a doubt, I said, The Night Ends With Fire.
Thank you to the Author, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton/ Hodderscape for granting me a Netgalley digital copy of The Night Ends With Fire to review for K. X. Song's debut fantasy novel.
The Night Ends With Fire is a gritty, fly-by-seat of your pant and seize the moment retelling of the legends of Mulan with a bad-ass female protagonist compared to the more Disney-depicted dutiful daughter version of Mulan. I loved this recast of Meilin as a gritty, ambitious character who wants to go to war to make a better life for herself, not prompted to do as a sacrifice to save another.
Sometimes, leaving your family for your self-preservation is an act of self-love, not a selfish act. I loved her because she wasn't another self-sacrificing, people-pleaser battling to belong in a society where women are property and second-class citizens to menfolk. Meilin's not on character journey to discover herself like Mulan – she takes up her warrior mantle with self-assured agency and full of a zesty boldness fuelling; she got gumption by the bucket-full and is not afraid to jump out of a window, damn the consequences.
Song has excellent potential as a storyteller. Her worldbuilding craft is exquisite, allowing her to create an expansive, complex fantasy world with a turbulent history, political intrigues, and clashes inspired by the Chinese dynasties and beautiful Asian mythology elements. Danger, treachery, and deceit dog Meilin throughout the plot, leaving the reader with no idea who she can trust.
I've mixed feelings about The Night Ends With Fire regarding the plot and storytelling. I'm hovering on a 3.5-star rating, primarily due to a couple of plot inconsistencies and the story being stretched to a breaking point to give it a darker, ferocious, and angrier vibe. I felt it jarred and slowed down the storytelling.
The romance and love triangle distract the plot from Meilin's journey as attractions flare between her and two rival princes, Sky Liu and Cao Ming Lei. I wanted Meilin to run from these potential love interests as they all treat her horribly and have their agendas for her abilities and power. There is so much misogyny, sexism, and exploitation of women in parts of this story made my stomach roll and roil.
I'll pick up the sequel out of intrigue to see where Meilin's journey takes her because I'm invested in her journey. Will ambition for power win, or her attraction to one of the love triangle princes? If I were in her shoes, I'd say let the world burn for events at the book's close. Is it wrong to have my fingers crossed to see her embrace her power and recognise her ambition isn't greed but seizing her moment to shine?
The Night Ends With Fire is a gritty, fly-by-seat of your pant and seize the moment retelling of the legends of Mulan with a bad-ass female protagonist compared to the more Disney-depicted dutiful daughter version of Mulan. I loved this recast of Meilin as a gritty, ambitious character who wants to go to war to make a better life for herself, not prompted to do as a sacrifice to save another.
Sometimes, leaving your family for your self-preservation is an act of self-love, not a selfish act. I loved her because she wasn't another self-sacrificing, people-pleaser battling to belong in a society where women are property and second-class citizens to menfolk. Meilin's not on character journey to discover herself like Mulan – she takes up her warrior mantle with self-assured agency and full of a zesty boldness fuelling; she got gumption by the bucket-full and is not afraid to jump out of a window, damn the consequences.
Song has excellent potential as a storyteller. Her worldbuilding craft is exquisite, allowing her to create an expansive, complex fantasy world with a turbulent history, political intrigues, and clashes inspired by the Chinese dynasties and beautiful Asian mythology elements. Danger, treachery, and deceit dog Meilin throughout the plot, leaving the reader with no idea who she can trust.
I've mixed feelings about The Night Ends With Fire regarding the plot and storytelling. I'm hovering on a 3.5-star rating, primarily due to a couple of plot inconsistencies and the story being stretched to a breaking point to give it a darker, ferocious, and angrier vibe. I felt it jarred and slowed down the storytelling.
The romance and love triangle distract the plot from Meilin's journey as attractions flare between her and two rival princes, Sky Liu and Cao Ming Lei. I wanted Meilin to run from these potential love interests as they all treat her horribly and have their agendas for her abilities and power. There is so much misogyny, sexism, and exploitation of women in parts of this story made my stomach roll and roil.
I'll pick up the sequel out of intrigue to see where Meilin's journey takes her because I'm invested in her journey. Will ambition for power win, or her attraction to one of the love triangle princes? If I were in her shoes, I'd say let the world burn for events at the book's close. Is it wrong to have my fingers crossed to see her embrace her power and recognise her ambition isn't greed but seizing her moment to shine?
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a fusion of Mulan, The Poppy War (specifically Rin/the phoenix/the dragon), and Daughter of the Moon Goddess (same audiobook narrator as well, she is phenomenal and I love u Natalie Naudus). Some might say that’s not a good thing, I would argue every story is derivative to some extent, but also shut up I like what I like! I like that K.X. Song made the protagonist a badass, but was still condemned for simply being a woman. In Poppy War, while women were still ‘lesser’ in society they were still permitted in traditionally male spaces, like the military (this is not a critique of TPW, just differentiates the stories more to me. Don’t get me wrong, women were horribly treated in TPW, but people were scared of Rin because she’s crazy vindictive and filled with rage rather than because she’s a woman). I do think the book could’ve been longer and more detailed, but overall I’m excited for the sequel and happy it’s out in August so I don’t have to wait for too long!
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes