I wasn’t able to read all of it because my link expired and I kept receiving messages that said I wasn’t authorized to download the galley. However, I enjoyed what I was able to read.

I got through about 20-25%. The whole time I kept wanting to read more. Seeing the MC learn and unlearn things she thought she knew was written in a fascinating way! The fantasy elements are there and are easy to understand.

So I guess my main complaint is that I wasn’t able to finish it.

“They would never let a woman hold on to power.”

if you’re in search for a mulan retelling with a badass female warrior fmc who is literally WAOLOM coded this is FOR YOU!! when meilin finds out she’s to marry an abusive man like her father she disguises herself as a man and enlists in the war, and with discovering she’s connected to the spirit realm and able to use them to her advantage she becomes invincible.

the way that she went though soo much in this book and she still was able to prove how much stronger and capable she was compared to every man?! the definition of a girl-boss idc!!

“I was a woman, and I had dared go after more than my allotted cards in life. I had disguised myself as a boy, and I had gotten away with it. And now, like a novice gambler who bets once and wins, I was hungry for more. I felt ready to slide all my chips into the beckoning pot.”

now let’s talk about the romance,as for prince lui sky and cao ming lei, i was not at all expecting it, im a little torn i cannot lie i do think we should’ve gotten more interactions with sky and meilin because i thought they were really cute but i just really want to see a lot more lei in book two SO BAD!! i did not expect the romance to have me giggling like i was!

overall this was such an amazing read, i do think that the pacing mid-way felt slightly off and made it easy to put down but once you get into this book it’s easily fast paced and when people tell you there’s betrayals best believe they’re not joking, i was gasping out loud multiple times!!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

I thought that this would just be another Mulan retelling, and in some ways it was, but it was also so much more. It was like a less grimdark Poppy War mixed with the story if Mulan. I'm very excited for the next book!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The first half was great, and then it got real crazy real fast. The pace seemed to change, and I found it hard to keep up in the second half. Overall, I enjoyed the ending and will likely read if there is a second book. I liked the ending, it was well rounded and sweet. And not to the author, but I received an ARC on netgalley and could only read on Adobe Digital Editions. The app is not great and made reading difficult at some points and would freeze up a lot.

However, I still enjoyed the book.

Mulan retelling but make it gritty and grown up. This was an excellent adventurous tale by K.X. Song, and I think anyone who enjoys stories like LOTR would enjoy this fantastic tale.

I think this book will be widely loved by many and I enjoyed my time with it, it just didn’t live up to the high expectations I had set for it.

For me, it had a slow start which made it hard for me to get interested from the beginning which hindered my enjoyment of the book a little.

Just finished "The Night Ends with Fire" and wow, what a ride! This isn't your typical Mulan retelling—it's darker, grittier, and tangled with complex spirit magic that completely flips the familiar tale on its head. Meilin, our heroine, isn't just fighting for honor; she's battling for her own slice of freedom and maybe a bit of revenge. The stakes feel higher, the emotions more raw.

The world-building here is solid, dipping into rich mythology that keeps you on your toes. While the pacing can be a bit off at times, speeding up and slowing down unexpectedly, it doesn't detract too much from the story's magnetic pull. And the characters—oh, the characters! They're beautifully flawed and deeply relatable, especially Meilin, whose fierce determination and vulnerability made me root for her from the start.

There's a love triangle, but it's not the usual fluff—it adds depth and tension, which I appreciated. Also, major points for the magical elements; they're woven into the plot in ways that feel essential, not just decorative.

Overall, it’s a compelling blend of action, intrigue, and personal growth, with a hefty dose of magical drama. Definitely a must-read for fans of fantasy that takes familiar tales to unexpected places!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Night Ends with fire had some really great elements and an interesting twist to the Mulan myth. Unfortunately the pacing felt inconsistent with story elements being rushed to stretched. Given the focus of the book, it would also make more sense for the book to have a water theme over a fire theme. This ends on a cliffhanger that feels unfortunately anticlimactic. Overall an enjoyable read but could definitely use some refining.

"[He] thought I didn’t belong here. The difference between him and me? I knew I didn’t belong here. And so I had to prove both of us wrong."

3.5-ish? stars

This is the story of Hai Meilin who decides to enlist as a man in a war rather than live as a woman caged by society and the cruel men who are “in charge” of her. She wants to take charge of her life instead, and we see her fight for her freedom every step of the way. Death on a battlefield is preferable to life within her the homes of the abusive men in her life (her father and future husband), because at least as a man in a war, she’ll have some freedom before she succumbs to death.

"That was the problem with freedom, I thought. Once you’d tasted it, you couldn’t live without it, ever again."

I heard adult Mulan retelling along with high praises from people whose opinions I appreciate (also that gorgeous cover) and I was sold. I think that was part of the issue though, that I went into this with expectations and hopes, and so when those weren’t met, I was slightly disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I still finished this incredibly quickly (despite having a million other things on my plate and even more things I should be doing) but the writing flowed easily and I flew through this. But some things missed the mark for me. (Also, random side note that I don’t know where else to put, I do wish there was a consensus on what is or isn’t translated. Some words are translated like “baichi idiot” while others aren’t such as Ge and Di Di. As someone who’s trying to learn the language, it was cool to recognize certain words, but I do think giving some context, maybe a footnote instead of actually translating might be a good idea? I never know what the right move is for something like this but I know it felt weird reading idiot idiot, you know?)

I think a big part of the magic of Mulan was the relationships. The friendships, the camaraderie, the trust, the respect, all of these are so fun to watch develop and they really give heart to an epic story. What makes the romance in Mulan so compelling is how firmly their foundation of trust was built before it was shaken by her truth. It’s that strong foundation that makes the truth one they come to terms with. The Night Ends With Fire seems to lack that, even making it hard for me to really root for our presumed main love interest (though, don’t come at me, I’m really hoping he’s not the actual love interest. More on that later). It feels like the story lacks that heart, as well as character development, which means we’re purely relying on plot here.

I’m all for plot-driven stories, but this feels a bit unevenly paced, being incredibly slow in some places and then picking up so much speed I’m left reeling in others. There are moments of captivity that go on forever, and then the actual action scenes are a mere few pages. I feel like there’s not enough buildup for big moments. For example, I would have loved to have seen more of Meilin’s thought process that led her to take on the persona of a man and go on to enlist. We know her motives, but we never see how she gets to this very specific idea. Instead, all we see is her jumping into action the morning she decides to do what she does.

I appreciate Meilin as a character because she’s not sugar-coated nor is she Disney princess-esque in the least. She’s greedy, angry, wants her freedom, and also wants to be the best. I can understand that, the need to prove yourself so utterly that no one can deny that it’s your right to be here, and how detrimental that way of thinking can be. I really really liked that about her and we get to see a lot of that. I just wish we got to see the different facets of her character, the soft and the hard, more. I also really like how the strength and power in this story don't come freely. Meilin has to work at becoming stronger, and even then she's not always successful. Also, power isn't infinite and comes at a cost.

Next up, our presumed love interest Sky. I initially really liked him. He was smart, brave, dutiful, and kind. I do like that he’s a big softie while also being a good general, and that he really does seem to care for Meilin, but I wish we’d seen more of their friendship/trust and how that grew before it became more romantic. I feel like there wasn’t enough of a foundation to go from sparring buddies to omg you’re a woman how dare you to also I love you. Also, I’m not sure how I feel about certain choices such as how he reacts to her secret, amongst other minor alarm bells I keep hearing that I’m hoping the author actually meant to be tiny warning signs that he isn’t actually the love interest.

I’m not going to lie, I keep saying presumed love interest because I’m kind of hoping K.X. Song is going to pull a Shatter Me and/or ACOTAR and flip the entire romance storyline on its head after book one. Did I love the Shatter Me series? No. Did I like ACOTAR? (if you don’t know what this is, congratulations, please never change), also no. Not at all. Do I realize that I almost never root for the “problematic” romantic interest (looking at you Darklina)? Yes. Does that change anything here? Nope. Prince Cao Ming Lei is the most interesting character in this entire series and I’m really excited about the next book purely because I can’t wait to read more about him. The little bomb he drops at the end? I mean come on! Prince Lei is smart, calculative, actually seems to care for Meilin too (??? Questionable. He’s not perfect but listen, no one in this series is okay), and he’s just fun to read about and see in action. I really liked how ready he was to see her for who she was rather than who he thought she was, which is something almost every other character in this book does. Also he’s got a sad backstory and is surrounded by terrible people and has to make tough choices. That’s potential love interest material if I ever saw it!

All this to say, the story was good but not great. I still enjoyed reading a somewhat familiar story and watching it take on a life of its own. I will definitely keep an eye out for the next one.

Please note that I received an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Night Ends with Fire is a Mulan retelling which delves into the politics of war, with a solid romance as well.

I really enjoyed Meilin as a character, seeing her grow and own her own power, especially in a time that didn't grant much power to women. I'm not a fan of love triangles, so I wish there had just been one love interest, but I enjoyed seeing her interact with both men. This is an action packed book with some darker themes, but overall an enjoyable fantasy read. I really hope there is another book in this series, especially with that ending!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for the gifted copy of this book!

THE NIGHT ENDS WITH FIRE is going to be in my top books of the year. This is a stellar Mulan retelling, filled with magic, romance, spirits, and war. I loved the direction this went with Meilin's greed & the notion of women in power during this time (aka NOT HAPPENING) as she enlists in war. The jade, spirits, and celestial realm totally made this an engaging read, full of magic, mystery, and adventure. The love triangle is SOLID and I love that in all areas, we don't totally know who to trust. Even Meilin is morally gray. This is perfect if you enjoyedTHE POPPY WAR, love the story of MULAN, or enjoy books with female rage.

I felt like this was a good Chinese mythology take on Mulan. But for an adult fantasy, I thought the tone of it read very YA. The characters were complex and morally grey with rich storytelling. I did feel like there could have been more world building overall. It was a good read, and I enjoyed the characters. I would give it a 3.5 stars if I could.

First half is like Mulan (Disney movie) and the second half is ACOTAR mixed with female rage.

I liked the depth of the plot but struggled to connect with the characters until the end. I was also confused about the war. The ending kept me interested in continuing. Since Meilin’s character developed, I hope the politics will develop next book because she had limited information this book.

A Mulan retelling? Sign me up!

Meilin is a young woman stuck in a life that she didn't choose for herself. In order to escape, she disguises herself as a man and enlists in the war in her opium-addicted father's place. Determined to prove herself worthy of being in the army, despite her small stature, she trains harder and longer. As she continues to train and fight, she learns more about the ancient magic of the kingdoms - and her own connection to it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this adult fantasy from K.X. Song. I liked Meilin a lot. She had a lot of flaws, but underneath, she truly is loyal to the people she loves. And while I am not typically fond of the love triangle trope, I liked how it was done in this book.
I thought the magic system was unique, but not overly complicated, which I personally appreciated. The book had pretty good pacing overall. It is the first book in a series, so there are definitely loose ends, but I thought that it did wrap up nicely.

Definitely recommend!

A darker retelling of Mulan with wartime spirit magic, handsome princes, and a strong theme of femininity and the expectations placed on girls' lives and ambitions, especially in Southeast Asian culture.

Meilin is 18, and expected by her opium-addicted father to do her duty and quietly marry a wealthy but abusive man. Instead of agreeing to this path, and being suffocated by societal expectations of women just as her mother was years before, she takes matters into her own hands. Meilin enlists in the kingdom's army, seeking glory and danger. There, she excels and finds friends, discovers the true power of her mother's mysterious jade necklace, and finds she is instrumental in her kingdom's war.

I read this pretty quickly and found it an enjoyable read. As a teen, I think I would have been more invested in the angst of the love triangle between Meilin and the two princes. I'm conflicted on the ending, because while it was realistic, it also felt unresolved or like there could have been more action (and the action was the thing I enjoyed most about this book). I'd be interested to see if the author will make it a series. It's definitely for teens, around 14+, and I'm excited to see the gorgeous first print edition in person.

Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!

This re-imagining of Mulan places our heroine, Meilin, in a perilous world on the edge of a war where her actions can play a pivotal role in shaping the course of history. While her internal dialogue felt a bit repetitive at times, I appreciated the gradual way she came to recognize that the way her country views the world and treats people and spirits is not necessarily the way other countries do. However, despite the premise that she's greedy and selfish, she doesn't seem to seriously consider opportunities that would advance her status and power, assuming those offering are telling the truth. Instead, she trusts that her country will change to accept her as she is, despite only one character showing her any genuine acceptance and support once they learn the truth of who she is.

Which leads me to my primary complaint: her relationship with Sky. I just couldn't suspend by disbelief enough the believe that a prince would see a girl do kung-fu once, and then immediately drop all social customs and barriers to interact with her the way he does, especially if he's supposed to be smart! It makes sense for the story, as we want them to have a connection, we want him to see something special in her, and we know she's special, but she hasn't really earned how he opens up to her as Meilin. Once she becomes Rey, their relationship develops in a way that feels much more believable on a foundation of friendship and respect. However, as soon as he realizes she's a girl, he no longer treats her as an equal. He still values her and listens to her, but his actions don't indicate he really trusts her to act independently. To be fair, he is also her commanding officer, but he tries to shelter and shield her despite knowing what she's already lived through. Alternatively, Lei likes and appreciates her from the get-go, recognizing her strength and character, and while he also treats her differently once realizing she's a girl, in no way does he ever doubt her capability. There are a slew of issues with their relationship, too, obviously, but I just happen to like him better than I like Sky, and that may be a personal preference. I do acknowledge that Sky and Meilin do care about each other, and do what they can do prove that they're there for each other.

None of this even touches so far on the spirit medium shenanigans, Meilin's powers and affinity with the dragon, the lies and secrets kept both directions between the two of them, and how that effects her interactions with the world at large. I like how the "magic system" is set up, and found the little historical excerpts at the start of each chapter interesting as well as helpful in understanding the greater context the world exists in. All in all, it's a story about a girl doing her best and life just gets messy, but I love it. I love that *SPOILER* there isn't a happy ending, that her greatest fears are her only options, that her supposed friends and the country she'd hoped to save weren't on her side. It felt like what would have happened, and I'm looking forward to seeing how she rises up again and really changes the world.

Because Mulan is my favorite Disney movie, I expected to like this book, but it was even better than I expected. I’m actually planning to listen to the audio next, because I know I mispronounced names in my head.

This take on the Chinese myth of Mulan starts our promising, but quickly bogs down with characters that stagnate instead of growing or changing. There's a lot of bloody action, but the results are often muddled, to the point where the ending negates all the effort that the main character attempts to achieve. The idea behind the story is worthwhile, but this execution does not deliver. I do not recommend it.

A Mulan retelling? I was immediately sold.

Synopsis:
Meilin is trapped under the rule of an abusive, drug addicted father about to be married to an equally horrid man. So when the men leave for war, she figures this is her one chance of freedom.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this one. It was such a fantastic Mulan retelling filled with magic, romance, dragons and a phoenix. It was completely captivating and left me needing book two ASAP!

I liked how in this reimagining, Meilin was motivated by freedom and greed and not a sense of duty. Her character was much more complex and a little grey. The patriarchal views were much more extreme, and honestly realistic. It was hard to read, but extremely captivating at the same time.

There’s a bit of a love triangle, and after reading other reviews, a lot of people are rooting for a certain man. Let’s just say I like my men in fantasy books to be a bit morally grey, so I’m going for the underdog. 😜

What You’ll Find:
🗡️ Mulan retelling
🔺 Love triangle
🐉 Dragon
🪄 Magic
💪 Girl boss

This book was a beautiful retelling of the Mulan saga. I loved the inside view of why a woman would rather go to war than deal with the trapped feeling of a life chosen for her. The author changed Mulan's focus from family protection to self-preservation but it was done so beautifully that I did not mind. I am absolutely needing the second book now to see what happens next.