I have tried to read this book four separate times, and each time I have zero interest to continue, which sucks. I always go back to the beginning to remind myself what happens, but the writing just feels so juvenile and flat that I don't have any lingering interest to continue.

Thus, i'm going to DNF this book, and the furthest i got was 10% in one given read through. I'm giving the review a neutral 3 stars since I didn't make it very far into the story.

The writing and characters are not for me.

I had such a fantastic time reading this book! That this is inspired by the legend of Mulan, when I'm really only familiar with the Disney animated movie, loved it! I really can only compare it to the movie, I'm not really at all familiar with the original, except I have a vague idea that Mulan died or something? So I had to keep reading this book and see where the story would go!

Sexism really boils my blood. And the gender dynamics of this world and culture, and that women are essentially possessions of the men in their lives, just made me want to throttle something. Such emotions, of course, would be in this world, unseemly for a woman to have, that we're emotional, lacking logic, well, of course in that kind of environment, would Meilin push down her feelings, her anger, her want of power. But the freedom she has disguised as a man gives her that space to acknowledge those feelings, realize their validity, and oh, I understood it.

As she's dealing with the whole, pretending to be a man and running off to war, she's slowly learning more about the power she can wield, as she gains political power and friendships-but there was always an edge of anxiety from all the secrets that she was keeping.

I really enjoyed that final battle, it was a clever way to get in, and to deal with the bad guys. Unfortunately, that meant the people in charge didn't change-and they don't approve of her or her choices. Which has me very excited to see where the story is going to go from here!

This was an amazing read and I can't wait for the sequel!

Mulan has always been one of my favorite animated movies. I’m not sure if it’s her rebellious spirit, fierce independence, or unwavering resilience that captivates me most. So when I found out this book was inspired by Mulan, I knew I needed to own every edition—and I do. As always, I highly recommend the audiobook, but the printed version is so STUNNING that it’s a must-have. I can spot where the author put her own twist on the Mulan we know, and I’m really appreciating those changes—I might even like it more!

I loved this story so much!

This was such an interesting book. Of course I requested it because of the cover, but I really enjoyed reading it and found I couldn't put it down because I wanted to see where the story was going. The use of magic was well done, incorporated into the story seamlessly that I wasn't left wondering how it worked, it was just part of the world and it felt natural. Some parts of the story were a but predictable, but not necessarily in a bad way, just that the lead up of some scenes gave a away more than they maybe should have as I was unsurprised by anything that happened because I was able to see it coming. But it was a quite enjoyable read, and I loved the writing and plowed my way through the whole thing in under a week.

When it comes to kick-ass women, there are none more so than Hua Mulan. It is from the legend of Hua Mulan that author K.X. Song derives inspiration for The Night Ends With Fire, the first in a fantasy series. But does Song’s fantasy adaptation live up to Mulan’s legend?

The Night Ends With Fire follows the traditional story (and its Disney counterpart) in its basic plot structure–Meilin disguises herself as a man to go to war. Unlike its inspiration, however, Meilin leaves home not to save her father, but to save herself. I can’t go into great detail because spoilers, but Meilin’s journey is a discovery of her own power and ambition, set in a world that will let her have neither because of her gender.

Meilin’s pursuit of greatness isn’t without missteps; she is after all, only human, albeit one with strong control of her qi, and a connection to the mystic via one supernatural frenemy. She masters her qi through years of practice, and her skills as a soldier only improve through many, many sleepless nights of intense training–overseen by the handsome Prince Sky, of course.

Many readers will identify with Meilin because we, too, know what it is like to be left on the outside looking in because of how we were born–whether it be because of our gender, race, sexuality, or ableness. Song’s writing shows how Meilin struggles against internalizing her society’s gender norms. In Meilin’s world, only men should have power and ambition, so when Meilin has it, she tries to suppress this side of herself, calling it “greed” and mentally berating herself for wanting more than a woman should.

Meilin chooses her own destiny in a world that continually tells her that she can’t. It’s a story that, like Hua Mulan’s, resonates with anyone who wants to rise above what society expects from them. Meilin’s quest is as much inward as it is outward.

With Song’s engaging and immersive writing style, it’s easy to read the first part of Meilin’s journey in one (or maybe two) sittings, but heads up: The Night Ends With Fire ends on a cliffhanger, and the next book’s release date has yet to be announced. So, you may be waiting for a while to see what is next for Meilin!

The story had good pacing and is a lovely Mulan-esque tale. I appreciated the magic, dragons, and jade aspects of it. The repercussions of her "coming out" felt realistic and I'm glad it didn't just end there either.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group for this digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is written for women who have been told they are only meant to be seen and not heard. I enjoy reading retellings. And Mulan is one of my favorite Disney characters so I was especially excited for this darker fantasy retelling.

Meilin is such a strong FMC. There was a lot of internal turmoil and struggle with her newfound power. Prince Liu Sky and Cao Ming Lei were both formidable characters. I remained skeptical of both, not sure if they were using her for their own gain or truly cared about her. I could see the allure for either one.

The ending was not what I expected. I was at a total loss for words when the ending hit. But looking back, I don't see it ending any other way. I would be interested in a sequel to see where it goes.

"I needed to prove that I, as a woman, could be better than the rest of them. That I, too, could belong. That I, too, could be free."

Loosely based on the tale of Mulan, this book is an action-packed epic fantasy about one woman who is just trying to be herself. She wants to be a soldier. She wants to fight in the war. But the only choice for a woman in this time period is to be a good wife. Disguising herself as a man, she joins the army, makes some friends, and has a handsome new training partner who just so happens to be a prince. As training continues, she begins having visions of a sea dragon who offers her freedom and true power but it comes with a deadly price. As the war wages, Meilin has to decide who to trust: the prince who she is loyal to, the sea dragon with his own hidden agenda, or an enemy prince who makes her rethink everything she’s known.

Natalie Naudus narrates the audiobook and gives a stellar performance! I was easily drawn into this story thanks to Natalie’s flawless delivery!

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It is the first in a series and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Meilin’s father is planning on marrying her off to help make up for some of his debt and Meilin turns to enlisting in the imperial army as an alternative. As she learns to fight and also wield her magic, she has to determine who the real enemy is. Overall solid retelling of Mulan, though it sticks closer to its roots with the rather ambiguous ending. Meilin is very goal oriented and many of the relationships around her are superficial, but it still makes for a decent read.

This is my new favorite Mulan retelling. This is so much better than the Disney movie and the way the spirits are involved in the story is so good! I love that this is so much darker and more realistic, especially in how the kingdom responds to the fact that she is a woman, even though I was rooting for Meilin to have some happiness.

It’s a truly devastating tale that test Meilin so much and shows how strong she is while showing how she won’t bend to society and its demands.

“I needed to prove that I, as a woman, could be better than the rest of them. That I too could belong. That I too could be free.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @ACEbooks and @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own

Thank you to @berkleypub for the #gifted copy.

I loved this book. Definitely a top read this year. I love strong female characters so Meilin and Autumn were favorites! I think the retelling was similiar, but also unique in its own way. The world builing was excellent and I am excited for book 2!

Oh wow! I really enjoyed this book and I am so thankful to Netgalley and Berkley/Ace for giving me an ARC so I could read this early in exchange for my honest review.

Mulan is one of my favorite movies so I was thrilled to see a retelling that felt solid with consistent storytelling and voice. Extremely well written and dark without being too grim.

Side note: I have a copy of it from FairyLoot and omg it’s so gorgeous, which really makes everything so perfect with this book.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by Mulan? Say less.

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song is a fantasy novel about a woman who will set her own course and chase after her own destiny. The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands. The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place. In the army, Meilin's relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price. With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

I feel like this book has been hit or miss with it's readers, and I'm sadly in the middle. By all means, it wasn't terrible. There was plenty of girlbosses, action, and dark magic. But the writing was hard to get through at times, and that's never a good sign for a newly emerging author.

K. X. Song borrows from Mulan with a tale of Meilin who pretends to be male to get away from an abusive father and an equally abusive potential husband. The jade, her mother left her, binds her to a magical water dragon, Qinglong that gives her powers, powers she has to learn to wield. The enemy kingdom is using magical fire to destroy her kingdom’s armies and only she can stop the man wielding the fire so that The Night Ends with Fire (hard from Ace). Very exciting. However, the tale ends on an expected dark note that needs the sequel. Fun.

DNF @ 56%

Unfortunately, I decided to DNF The Night Ends with Fire. I felt myself struggling to pick it up. I had a hard time following the storyline, and ultimately decided it wasn't for me.

The Night Ends With Fire by K. X. Song
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Inspired by the legend of Mulan. Magic. Adventure. Dragons.

(I mean, COME ON. There was no way I was passing this one up)
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Meilin wants more from life than to be married off to an old man she has never met. So she runs away to join the war gearing up in The Three Kingdoms.

I loved, loved, loved this story. I’m not sure if I would ever have run to join a war, but I could sympathize with the frustrations Meilin had about all of her choices being taken from her.

The magic in this story was very interesting and I loved all the back story about it. I can tell that there will be more to that part of the story in the next book and I can’t wait.

There are two love interests in the story and I have definitely chosen a team. I am rooting for that team wholeheartedly.

The ending made me so mad and I cannot wait for the next book.
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4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Such an amazing story filled with magic, adventure, and tension. If you like fantasy then you should add this to your collection for sure.

Finally a mulan retelling! Love love love it and can't wait for the next installment!

A refreshing fantasy with a strong female character and an intriguing plot. Definitely worth reading just for that alone.
The ending is semi cliff hanger, but not really, I think this book is a perfect match for those looking for adult disney retellings,

This book was fantastic! The writing incredible and the way the author handled themes about gender, misogyny, and perseverance was expertly done. My one critique is that it did drag a little in the middle, but everything else was amazing. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next.

Meilin’s father is a cruel opium addict and the husband her matchmaker has picked for her is not much better, so, in order to escape from them, Meilin devises a plan. She intends to enlist in the Anlai war draft disguised as a boy.

However, as she prepares to leave, her stepmother hands her a mysterious pendant along with an ominous message, and soon she finds herself entangled in a far greater war where the fate of the Three Kingdoms hangs in the balance.

The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song weaves a Mulan-inspired tale that left me incredibly disappointed.

First off, the characters came off as cartoonishly shallow and I found myself not caring if any of them lived or died.

This boils down to personal preference, but I also didn't care for the short and simplistic writing style that's very action-oriented. There's an overall lack of descriptive imagery in terms of characters and setting, which made it difficult for me to immerse myself in the world and envision what was going on.

Overall, if you're looking for a fantasy that's inspired by the Chinese legend of the Four Auspicious Beasts but with deeper characters and worldbuilding, you might have a better time with Song of Silver, Flame Like Night instead.

“they would never let a woman get away with something like this. they would never let a woman hold on to power."

Wow.. I absolutely loved Mei Lin. I live for fierce women characters; her character was part Mulan, part fierce Chinese General (historical nod to Fu Hao who was the first female general in history) and part Chinese Drama a mythical woman with a Dragon in her Qi energy.
I love Chinese drama; this easily could be used as a screenplay: the action; the battle sequences; her archery and cliff jumping have added this character in with my fave characters of 2024.

Thank you to Hodderscape an Netgalley for my ARC of this book.. I will not stop screaming about this fantasy. Iron Widow in 2021 was my fave book of the year, and this will definitely be in my top ten fave Fantasy books of 2024.

'A woman who could use a blade endangered the social order.
A woman who could think for herself jeopardized the mortality of the law.
A woman who could take power away from those who held it threatened the welfare of the state."

The male characters did not know what to make of her once they knew she was a woman.
How could she fight as well as they did? (She trained twice as hard)
How could she hold her own in battle? (She used her mind .. and didn't follow blindly.)
There were some areas that could have used a little more editorial direction. Prince Lei .. was he really needed ? I feel like he was a distraction from the story line, once he was added the momentum of her near brush with death became secondary and the Dragon in her ear.. where did he go? I wanted more Dragon.. maybe him transforming into a human form?
Overall a brilliant story and I look forward to this authors next book.

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