A review by puddlejumper
The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 

This novel is all about ambition and power – what would you do to get it and what would it cost you – were very central to the plot and character motivations. 

 

Meilin leaves her family to join the army out ambition and a desire for autonomy. She wants to find a place for herself and not be defined by the men around her. A dangerous ambition as a competent woman in the realm of men upsets the social order. 

 

What stood out for me was that the character thought about the consequences of her choices, what would happen if she stayed, what would happen if she was discovered, and still made the choice to disguise herself because it was the only way to get what she wanted and that was worth the risk. 

 

The book is split into three parts and each part was paced differently which was a bit odd. The second and third parts were a lot faster pace and there wasn’t much development during those sections. The first part felt more developed as time was spent setting the world up and the characters. 

 

I thought the book lost its way in the middle a bit. The introduction of the situationship triangle didn’t fit with the rest of the book and felt very awkward. I hesitate to call it a love triangle as none of the parties actually loved or liked each other. 

 

It was still an amazing book that gripped me from the start. I loved the magical element and the world building, each kingdom had its own history and culture that were distinct, most of the characters were fleshed out and the family and friendship relationships felt organic, it was just the romance that was weird. 

 

Would definitely recommend to people that enjoy historical fantasy. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC