Please note: The following review may contain spoilers for the first book in the Song of the Last Kingdom duology, SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT. Continue reading at your own discretion.

After making a deal with the Demon God known as the Black Tortoise and betraying Lan’s trust, Zen finds himself on a journey back to his ancestral home to find the answers he seeks to destroying the Elantians. He knows that he will need more than just a singular Demon God to save the Kingdom (and the girl he loves) and he finds that in the undead army his great grandfather once commanded.

Lan, heartbroken and lost after Zen’s betrayal, sets off to find the answers to destroying the Demon Gods once and for all. She will stop at nothing to complete the mission her mother set out on years ago, even if it means sacrificing the only man she’s ever loved.

I have waited a year for this sequel and it did not disappoint! Even with not remembering all the little details, Zhao was able to provide enough backstory in an organic way to remind readers what happens in the first book and where our characters are now. I was immediately pulled back into this beautifully written Chinese mythology inspired world.

Zhao has a way of writing that fully sucks you into the story and make time pass in a flash. Even in the slower moments of travel, I felt like I couldn’t read fast enough, anxious to find out what happens next. Each moment builds upon the last and edges the reader closer to the explosive climax that is the last battle to end all last battles.

Even in the midst of action and battle, Zhao was expertly able to weave in a romance for the ages. I found myself highlighting so many lines that just took my breath away with how romantic they are. The conclusion to the book—as well as the duology and love story—masterfully blends together heartbreak and hope in a way that will continue to live with me for a long time to come.

I predicted last year that I wouldn't want to leave this world when it ends and I'm happy (and a little sad) to report that I was absolutely correct.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

It’s somewhere between a 4 and a 4.5 I guess.

I just read the first book of this duology last month and it immediately made it to my top favorites of 2023 list because that’s how much I loved the book. So, I was very eager to get to this sequel, especially in the audiobook format, and as expected, I finished this in just two days.

What I was surprised was how much more world building we got here, which I didn’t think would happen in this conclusion. We get to know more of the lore behind the existence of the Demon Gods, how they came to be and what their purpose is; at the same time, we also get to know the real truth of the imperial clan and how their penchant for power destroyed the many clans across the Last Kingdom - wiping not just their peoples but also their cultures and histories, forcing any remaining survivors to feel that painful disconnect with their ancestors. I thought the author does an interesting job showing how both the imperial clan and the colonizers use their powers for subjugation and not for the benefit of the common populace, ultimately one defeating the other as well.

As I loved the writing in the first book, it remains equally gorgeously descriptive and imaginative here as well, easily making up the scenes in my head. The plot though, took directions that I totally did not see coming after what happened at the end of book one. I had it in my head that this book would be much more action packed, and while everything builds up to a very explosive ending, the journey to get there is more about finding one’s truth and history and purpose, and gathering the resources for the final fight. This made it feel like the pacing was slow for almost half of the book but I didn’t mind it too much.

The author really writes yearning between our two main characters very well - which is definitely a key component of any xianxia. Lan has finally discovered one major secret about her mother and herself and has decided to fulfill the task for which her parents sacrificed their lives. At the same time, she is also reeling from the betrayal by Zen, just clinging onto her purpose so that she doesn’t let herself give into their heartbreak. Zen on the other hand is determined to save everyone he loves and the people even if he destroys himself in the process. Even though they seem like they are on opposite paths, their red string of fate keeps bringing them together time and again, giving us all the angst. Even though there was some repetition in them meeting and separating, I really liked how the author developed their characters individually as well as their relationship.

My slight disappointment though was with the other characters of the book. We get a new character introduced here (which I kinda guessed) who we have to figure out if he is a friend or a foe, but we don’t really get enough time with him to start caring about his actions. We hardly get any Shanjun or Cho Tai scenes which was sad. The only person who maybe had a bit of a presence was Dilaya and I really didn’t think I could come to like her. Our main villain from book one also kind of takes a backseat for most of the book which surprised me a lot.

Overall, I feel like this conclusion was very well written, with even better lore and world building, great main character dynamics, but slightly disappointing with the rest of the cast. But it does end in a very explosive way, all bittersweet emotions making me tear up, but also in a very satisfactory manner. That was the perfect end I could have asked for this series.

Rating: 3/5 ☀️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, which was given in exchange for an unbiased review.

Happy pub day! This has been one of my most anticipated reads for the past year after I read Song of Silver, Flame Like Night. It took me much longer than I wish it had for me to finally read this sequel even though I had the ARC sitting around for a while, but I wanted to take the time to revisit the first book before I got into this one.

There were things that this book did great, and what originally drew me to the series to begin with were well-executed, so I feel compelled to at least rate this a three. The themes from the first book of yin and yang, creation and destruction, power and balance were carried through spectacularly, and I loved how it concluded with the final battle. The expansion of this installment’s worldbuilding was also very strong, and the writing continued to be beautifully crafted.

Song Lian and Xan Temurezen as the main characters continued to be as amazing as they were in the first book. They were well-defined and evocative with amazing character arcs and growth. And their relationship continued to be such a highlight. I was looking forward to every single one of their interactions. Their ending was fitting, but it absolutely tore me apart.

At the same time, there were a lot of elements that fell short, and the story as a whole did suffer for it. Lan and Zen’s relationship arc started off strong with her anger at him, but they reunited as a couple and got married so quickly when it didn’t feel like they were quite there yet in their development. (I don’t think he even found out that by killing his shifu, he also killed her father?) The Elantians as antagonists also faded to the background for a while as a good part of the middle focused on introducing Hong’yi. The secondary character development also fell short, and I really wish we had gotten Dilaya’s perspective more often beyond the one chapter during the climax. I also can’t remember if we ever received answers about the demon face that Zen had been seeing.

Ultimately, the story ended up being rather rushed, and I think it would have benefitted from being a trilogy as opposed to a duology and properly developing the various antagonists while drawing out Lan and Zen’s relationship more. It was kind of a disappointment after I had loved the first book so much and I really don't know what happened, but I still really admire Amelie Wen Zhao’s writing in this. I often think I have outgrown YA fantasy as a genre but series like this still make me want to stick around.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White concludes Amelie Wen Zhao's Song of the Last Kingdom duology, which follows main characters Zen and Lan as they grapple with the demons in their world, and the demons in themselves.

Written in Amelie Wen Zhao's beautiful lyrical voice, Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is a stunning conclusion to a story that swept me off my feet in book 1. It felt an overall fitting conclusion, deliciously tense but beautifully played out in the end. I definitely think that this is a new favorite duology of mine.

Following the events of book one we find Lan and Zen on different paths to the same goal: save their people from the Elantians. Unfortunately for our heroes this means separating and breaking their own hearts while attempting to do so. With Zen bound to the Black Tortoise and the Silver Dragon residing in Lan, will they be able to fulfill their mission or will they end up destroyed along with the entirety of their people?

This was an FANTASTIC conclusion to the first book! A world of magic and an epic journey to save the world? All with an Asian mythology and magical spin? This was beyond my wildest dreams and was sooo good!

Happy Wednesday y’all and happy 2024! I’m so excited about all of the things that 2024 has in store for us- especially all of the books! We’re starting 2024 off strong with my stop on the TBR and Beyond Tours tour for Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White. This is the second book in the Song of the Last Kingdom series, and is a perfect sequel to the first book! Thank you so much to TBR and Beyond Tours for having me as a part of this tour and I cannot wait for y’all to read this one since it came out on the 2nd!

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White 4/5 stars

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White (man, that’s a long title, it’s going to be Dark from now on) was such a hefty book- so many things happened, so many people moved around, we saw so many battles, all four demon gods were in one place, and it was amazing. I really enjoyed how plot heavy the book was. There were some times where I felt as though the pacing was a little off, but that’s because I was so excited about all of the action that I didn’t want to read the lore, that admittedly is super important to understanding the action. Zen and Lan were so cute, as usual- I loved them as main characters. Having to battle morality and saving the world with being with the person you love is so hard, but they did it so well and sometimes when authors write characters like them, one comes off as whiny or childish, but I thought that both Zen and Lan were so well grounded. I also really liked how all of the secondary characters were written and how they reacted to everything going on around them. The addition of extra villains in this book made it even better. The last 20% of the book were probably my favorite part of both of the books in this series and the epilogue was both heart wrenching and amazing at the same time. I cannot wait for everyone to read this book! Grab it today! Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is the sequel to Song of Silver, Flame Like Night completing Amélie Wen Zhao’s Song of the Last Kingdom duology.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is very much in keeping with its predecessor in that it’s full of rich world-building and character development. Zhao’s prose is comfortable and confident, allowing you to slip back into her intricately conceived world.

The story unfolds from the dual perspectives of Lan and Zen. These alternating chapters give a more expansive view of the story and provide readers with an up-close view of the characters’ — especially Zen — struggles.

It does take a while for Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White to get going — there’s a lot of catching up from before and setting up for later, but if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded. It’s a strong fantasy that is full of complexities.

In Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White we continue the saga of Lan and Xen as they both try to go about their own way to save their land from the Elantians. For a while their paths will lead them in separate directions, but like two halves of a coin they're never really that far apart from each other.

If you enjoyed Zhao's prose in book one then you'll love it just as much in book two, and be charmed by the eastern metaphors and other quality of life touches (such as naming systems for buildings, weapons, etc).

This book will take you on an emotional journey where you're crying at first about how Lan and Xen split, but cheering for them in the latter half of the book, and then crying in a peaceful way at the end of it.

It's a good book, it's a good second half of a story, and I hope you love it the way I did.

With the foundation laid in the first book, "Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White" hits the ground running. I very much enjoyed Zen and Lian's intertwining journeys and the clash of their personal philosophies in a world under siege. Zhao expands upon her East Asian-inspired fantasy world and takes us on a delightful journey, all while balancing the character arcs of our two protagonists.

The moral questions of empire and colonialism were handled with greater nuance here than in her first trilogy, something I very much appreciate. Excited to see where Zhao goes next!

I really enjoyed this book. It's book 2 in the series and this series captivated me. I really like the different magic users/practitioners. The different journeys the two main characters go through not just the struggles of the outside world but their inner turmoil with the demon Gods that are latched to them. I definitely want to read more books from this author. The details she provides painted a detailed picture in my mind of what was happening in the story.

This was a great ending to the Song of the Last Kingdom duology. It was filled with tender moments, action, and mystical world lore. The storyline explores themes of power, balance and corruption as your learn of the dark history of this mythical kingdom through the exploration of the two main characters. The two characters are enemies trying to figure out how to overcome colonizer rule in their own way.

The reader will get to explore more of this mystical fantasy world that feels like a Chinese period drama as the characters journey across the country. I had such a hard time putting this book down as I felt like there was a lot happening and being uncovered.

I enjoyed learning more of the magic system in this world and how the same magic can be manipulated differently. The book had some good twists and turns but nothing too jaw dropping for me. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a new adult high fantasy series with magic.

I thought the story wrapped up well and in a satisfactory way but be prepared to go through the emotional wringer. If you enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess or The Poppy War I think you’ll enjoy this one too!

Thank you to Random House Children’s, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book for my honest review!

Writing a follow-up to an enticing and exciting fantasy debut is not easy. There are a plethora of other talented writers out there spinning fantastical stories with bigger, badder and more epic stakes making it hard to stand out. Amelie Wen Zhao meanwhile, continues to quietly carve out a unique slice of the fantasy pie with Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White the hotly anticipated follow-up to last year's Song Of Silver, Flame Like Night.

Zhao cleverly weaves a prologue and the opening chapters in such a way that if you've forgotten the main threads of the first book, you'll instantly be thrown back into the world like you never left. However, this is also a double-edged sword. If you've only just finished reading the first, or know the story well, the first quarter of this book is going to feel very sluggish and laborious. 

With the battle of Skies End over, the fate of the Kingdom hangs in the balance. Zen has chosen to embrace his Demon God, the Black Tortoise, and while his intentions may be good, his actions are anything but. Countless people have died at his hands and the Demon's influence is only growing.

Meanwhile, Lan is off in the desert with her ragged bang of survivors, with the only hope now being to find the mythical weapon capable of destroying the Demon Gods - the Godslayer.

Naturally, she's not the only one looking for this and the two other Demon Gods. The Elantian soldiers are hot on their heels and Lan finds herself quickly in over her head as both her and Zen's journeys bring them to the same city, Shaklahira. This is the former stronghold of the Imperial Court that vanished without a trace when the Elantians invaded. 

After a rather subdued and slow first half, the second act of this book whiplashes into action, with plenty of skirmishes, big battle with Gods, and the fate of the world ultimately decided by Lan and Zen. Will everyone make it out in one piece? Or will there be bitter, difficult sacrifices along the way in order to restore peace?

To give much more away would be a disservice to the story but suffice to say, this one does have a good ending. The story itself is arguably not as strong as the first though, with a lot of time dedicated to planning and trying to formulate a plot. That's not necessarily a bad thing, especially after the big battle at the end of the first book, but it does feel a little laborious through a few chapters.

The focus this time shifts back and forth between Zen and Lan in alternate chapters, although Zen arguably has the stronger character arc here he also has the most laborious chapters. As the Black Tortoise's influence grows, he finds himself wrestling with his purpose and sanity. This does make for a fascinating read, but it also drags on a bit too much at times.

However, that's not a deal-breaker because the main plotline, and how it weaves the Four Demon Gods together, is ultimately the strongest point of the story. The climax in particular is spectacular and you really get a feel for the scope and scale of this fight - and how the world hangs in the balance.

The prose is good overall, the world fleshed out beautifully and the main story nicely wrapped up. It's a shame then that it takes so long to get going because there's actually a solid, enjoyable fantasy thriller in here. If you can get past the first half (which basically serves as a catch-up and set-up of sorts) then Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White delivers a rip-roaring conclusion to this fantasy epic.

7/10

Thank you NetGalley for an arc

Absolutely AMAZING! This series deserves so much hype. This was a beautiful conclusion to the story. I highly recommend it. It has an amazing flow from the ending of book one. I was once again hooked on the story since page one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Publishing, and Random House Children's for this advanced copy! You can pick up Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White on January 2, 2024.

What a phenomenal conclusion to this epic story! I loved Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, and Amélie Wen Zhao delivered an even more thrilling, romantic tale in this sequel. We explored an expanded world, witnessed new magic, and saw our characters grow into the type of legendary figures people write songs about.

I've always loved Lan's character, but seeing her combat new foes and confront the ghosts of her past moved me and made me love her even more. I also appreciated Zen's arc in this book, as he embraced his more villainous side while wrestling with his humanity. I'm actually shocked Amélie Wen Zhao took the ending where she did, but I applaud her for pulling it off flawlessly.

This duology is a perfect, epic fantasy saga for fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Mistborn. You won't regret it!

Despite the fact that it is, I feel like just saying IT'S PERFECT is not enough of a review. So here goes...

This is a solid close that continues the first book's story right where we left off, with Zen and Lan divided by the choices they've made in their paths to achieve the goal of saving their country and people. It's two very different paths that you know will inevitably cross again because these two are meant to be together.
Zen's story continues to be incredibly easy to figure out and there is nothing in it that surprises, but I ended up deciding that it's part of why I like it. It's inevitable and predictable because there can be no other path for him, and it's written so beautifully that I can't imagine it any other way.
Lan's story of finding her path and staying true to her convictions continues to be the backbone of the entire plot and gives a more human face to a story about the horrors of conquest, not just from without, but from those with power.
It's slightly predictable and a little bit rushed, but I found so many positive things on the whole and even in the elements that weren't quite right that I'm highly recommending this one as the prefect conclusion to a perfect story.
As it's the second book in the duology, I'll say it's very obviously a continuation of the first book and I really don't think it's the kind of book you can jump into without having read the previous volume. Don't even try it. And the first book is so good that it wouldn't even make sense to skip it.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the perfect read!

Thank you Turn the Page Tours for making me part of the Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White tour. It's the sequel and last part of Song of the Last Kingdom, no spoilers, but it's a wheel of emotions, the story begins where the first book ends, if you liked the first book, you must read this, you are going to suffer a little 😆

And for those who don't know the duology, it's inspired by Chinese mythology, it feels like a historical drama and has a little of everything: The setting is a kingdom conquered but still fighting for freedom, brave and smart protagonists, lots of action, magic, romance, secrets, and plot twist.

It's dual POV, and I love both, Zen and Lan, They are messy, they have made difficult decisions and now they are paying the consequences, they are not perfect, they have done good and bad things, and for that reason, you empathize with them. I felt it was different from other YA novels, where the protagonists emerge victorious, here there are consequences for their actions. In that sense, it feels a little realistic (They are not morally gray characters, just complex ones)

Compared to the first novel, the story is more about consequences and sacrifices. The romance is sweet but bittersweet, Zen and Lan are destined to be together, in this life or the next.

The magic system and world-building are so interesting, it expanded a lot. The setting is gorgeous, what a beautiful and intricate world, I also liked that it was set in winter, it seems suitable with the characters' emotions. The writing style is lovely, it's very visual, and you feel the characters' struggles, the cold air, the magic, everything.

Read it if you like:
• YA Fantasy
• Mythology and folklore of ancient China.
• Battles, Magic, Curses, Romance and Plot Twist

ARC reader for NetGalley

Oh, my heart. Such a beautiful ending to an amazing tale. I love how poetical this duology was. It weaved the perfect blend of action, romance & Chinese mythology. Amazing ya series!

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.”

Beautiful and Poetic

Regretfully, I didn't delve into the background before requesting this captivating book. Nonetheless, closing the year with such a literary gem has been immensely satisfying. In my 2023 reading challenge to explore books beyond my comfort zone, I was drawn to this title by its intriguing concept and captivating cover. The only drawback was not having read the first book. While this installment can be enjoyed as a standalone, I sensed a need for some context from its predecessor to enhance my experience fully. Despite this, I'm grateful to NetGalley and all involved for providing me with a copy. It's a delightful addition to my roster of 4-star reads this year.
In this riveting tale, Lan embarks on a quest to vanquish the four demon gods, aiming to bring an end to their malevolent reign. Simultaneously, Zen yearns for greater power and an army to resist the colonizers who have seized control of their homeland. Fate interweaves their destinies, repeatedly thrusting them together in unforeseen encounters where Zen consistently lends a helping hand to Lan. Yet, the lingering question remains: will their individual pursuits converge when they discover they share a common cause, united on the same side of the coin? This captivating narrative explores the intricate dance between destiny and choice, unveiling the potential alliances that may reshape their world.
Immersed in profound character exploration, this book places a monumental emphasis on Zen and Lan, unfolding a narrative woven with their intricate emotions and transformative journeys. The meetings between them are charged with palpable angst, evoking intense emotions that defy easy expression, a testament to Amelie's exceptional prowess in poetic storytelling. Their tale unfolds as one intricately tied to fate and destiny, a delicate dance of yin and yang. It's as if the red thread of fate persistently draws them together in unexpected ways, creating a story that beautifully captures the essence of their shared journey.

Delving too deeply into the storyline would spoil the magic of this read—an experience I believe my readers should embrace blindly. While one might be tempted to start with the second book, I caution against it. In doing so, I felt I unintentionally did a disservice to both the author and potential readers. Book one lays the foundation, enriching the narrative in ways that can't be overlooked.

I extend an invitation to discover this literary journey in the coming year by clicking the link below. Not only is it a rewarding experience, but it also aligns with one of the prompts in this year's PopSugar Challenge, offering an extra incentive to delve into its pages sooner rather than later.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White was a bit of a letdown. I’d loved the first book so I was really excited to start this one, but the first 20% read like a “previously on” episode starter. Had it been more than a couple of months since I’d read the first book, I might have appreciated that more, but it definitely felt like it could have been condensed down.

Once we got through that part it did pick up, but almost too much as we hurtled from plot point to plot point. I felt like a lot of the character development we got in the first book didn’t continue to progress and the supporting characters were just props to hold up the main characters.

Overall, it was a decent conclusion to the duology and wrapped up the storylines so I’m glad I read it. I didn’t dislike it but after loving the first book felt very underwhelmed.

I received an eARC through NetGalley but all thoughts are my own.