Thank you Netgalley and Random Children's House for this ARC.

4.5 stars

I have previously heard praise directed towards Amelie Wen Zhao's work and was intrigued to read something of theirs. In a weird turn of events, I read The Scorpion and the Night Blossom before my library hold for another title allowed me to peruse their catalog. Having read this first, I am now greatly interested in reading more by Zhao.

Authors new to me make me nervous as I have been burned one too many times by false advertising and lackluster writing. However, hope bloomed in my heart when I laid eyes on the dedication page of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. To me, it promised a fantastical journey but I was unsure if it would travel the xianxia or the wuxia route.

As a lover of asian dramas, this made me both hesitant but excited to begin reading and I devoured this book in two days. The tight writing Zhao employs had words flying off the page, and my prior knowledge of xianxia (a fantasy genre that focuses more on gods and immortals) aided me in understanding how the fight scenes would come across.

Although I feel some side characters needed a little fleshing out, for a first book in a duology the concentrated focus allowed the plot to keep moving without getting lost in the weeds. Even the romance itself felt natural and not too "at first sight" that most YA novels employ. This was the perfect blend of romance and fantasy, and it is what I am usually looking for in my romantasies.

The Scoprion and the Night Blossom was such a delight to read, that I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the world that Zhao created. This is a book made for the fans of xianxia romances!

This was my first experience with Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. From the first page, the story pulled me in, and its fast-paced plot made it nearly impossible to put down. The rich world-building, intense trials, and intricate murder mystery kept me hooked, and Àn’yīng's backstory added a depth to her character that made her truly compelling. Although I found some plot twists predictable and a few romantic moments a bit forced, I still enjoyed the character dynamics overall. One minor disappointment was the limited development of Àn’yīng’s friendships. These connections felt underexplored, which held back some of the emotional impact. Despite this, I genuinely enjoyed this book. It was an exciting read with just the right amount of angst to elevate the story. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the sequel!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's - Delacorte Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is an excellent xuxia/C-drama, fast-paced and angsty in all the best ways. It is comparable to the Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology, in the mythology and the clash between demon/heavenly/mortal kingdoms, but very different in tone; tenser, bloodier, more action-based. The protagonist, An'ying, starts out a fairly novice martial artist, constantly being saved by other characters, and I really enjoyed growing beside her as a reader as she gains strength. It took a bit for me to get into the book, maybe about 25%, but once the wordy exposition took off I really enjoyed the twists and turns.

The political intrigue woven with mythology was the best part of this book, in my opinion. The mysteries behind An'ying's father's past kept me turning the pages, and the descriptive language is consistently gorgeous. I found the romances unconvincing, and they took up a substantial part of the plot, but a reader who loves knife-to-the-neck trope styles and doesn't mind instalust would really enjoy it. (Seriously, she has her knife to his throat like so many times.) It is reminiscent of Cruel Prince and Throne of Glass (and true to typical C-drama) in this way.

Overall, a fun fast-paced read with evocative imagery and meaningful character growth, but with a slow start and romances a bit forced. 3.5 ⭐ mostly due to personal tastes; I would fully recommend this to any readers with a different taste in romance.

"But meeting the right person at the wrong time, the right love in the wrong life, is a tragedy written from the start" 😭🥹

Wow. I absolutely LOVE The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. This book literally got me out of my book slump, it literally had me from the very beginning and wouldn't let me go until the very last page. I was literally stealing moments at work so I could finish this amazing book. The Scorpion and the Night Blossom follows an'ying a badass, fierce young women who has taken on the role of the provider for her family since her father was killed and her mother has half a soul due to the Mo (demon) taking it 9 years ago. She journeys to the Kingdom of the SKy to begin trials to win the immortality pill to help cure her mothers soul. Along the way she meets Yu'chen and from there it leads you on such a breathtaking, beautiful but dark story between the two and their worlds. I absolutely loved the world buidling in this book. The characters were written beautifully, and the tragic rivals to lovers are EVERYTHING. Amelie Wen Zhao had me on the edge of my seat with the last 20% and literally had me gasping with that plost twist. I need the second book right now!! Everyone needs to go preorder The Scorpion and the Night Blossom right now. This gorgeous book comes out March 4th 2025. I alreayd have mine ordered and I can't wait to add it to my library ❤️ Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Childrens for allowing me to get an eARC for this amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and hope I can get an early access for the second book when it comes out 😊

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao is a captivating fantasy novel that weaves a rich tapestry of Chinese mythology and lush world-building. Set in a beautifully imagined realm, the story follows the journey of two distinct protagonists: a young woman with the ability to communicate with spirits and a charming yet mysterious boy with a hidden past.

Zhao’s prose is lyrical, drawing readers into the vivid landscapes and intricate details of her world. The character development is strong, with both leads facing personal struggles and societal expectations that challenge their beliefs and desires. The dynamics between them evolve in a believable and engaging way, making their relationship a central focus of the narrative.

Themes of identity, sacrifice, and the quest for belonging resonate throughout the story. The incorporation of traditional Chinese culture and folklore adds depth, making the book not only an entertaining read but also a window into a rich heritage.

Overall, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a beautifully crafted tale that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance alike, offering a perfect blend of adventure, magic, and emotional resonance. Zhao’s debut is a promising start, leaving readers eagerly anticipating her future works.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4.5 stars;
oh my gosh. what a lush, vivid, and beautiful series opener from amelie wen zhao!!! i was so engrossed in the story from the very first page—and it's truly a love letter to c-dramas. in the author's note, zhao mentions that she wrote this draft in 6 weeks after the story consumed her, and i totally see why! this is the kind of story i would want to binge read in a day and spend the rest of the week hoping something will fill the hole in my heart this book left. even though it follows a classic plot structure, it's truly just so FUN, like a c-drama you'd grow up watching. as well, there were a few instances of the main character's strengths/weaknesses being a bit unbelievable, but i didn't mind because i went into it thinking i'd be watching a c-drama—and that's exactly what i got!

This is such a lovely, amazing read!!
This is a dark romantasy that is absolutely riveting a perfect balance of yin and yang, good and bad, dark and light, love and hate, trial and triumph! The world building is amazing. the characters are engaging and likable and the plot is fast paced and keeps the reader engaged. I would hope that this becomes a viral social media book.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom was not my cup of tea.

I didn’t like the main character, which really just ruins a book for me. I think her character could have been explored in a much better way. She was presented as this girl who defended her family and had been training for years, yet she was way weaker than anyone else at the competition. She needed a lot of help from others, which isn’t bad, but people still told her that she was ‘so strong.’ I think that if we’d gotten to see her strength in other ways, I would have felt more like she was a real person. And, if she thanked anyone for all the ways they were helping her.

The writing was fine, and the plot was nothing new, but not bad. I didn’t think the worldbuilding or magic was explained well, which did annoy me. And, the pacing felt kinda weird, I think we should have gotten more challenges, and the first one shouldn’t have taken up 40% of the book. And, it wasn’t even the most exciting one. Plus, that would have been more time for Àn’yīng to build connections, instead of having only three short scenes with her friend group.

This book definitely disappointed me, and I don’t think I’ll read the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the arc copy of this book (NetGalley)- I was so excited to see the approval!

I am always a sucker for a book with trials, I will NEVER turn one down. The FMC needs to face immortality trials which is exactly what it sounds like - trials to win eternal life which is what she is hoping to do in order to save her mothers soul. This story is so intriguing and beautiful, im so excited that it is going to be a duology. I also love the fact that there are enemies/rivals to lovers which is something that I eat up in books.

for those cdrama loving people - get reading... you will not be disappointed.

Heartacheingly beautiful. This is one of those books where you devour each page because you love the story so much and want to find out what's next. All the while flipping back a page to reread sections that are so exciting, surprising, and too beautiful you have to read them again to form the picture in your mind. This kind of fantasy is breathtaking when done well. And Amélie Wen Zhao has proven herself as a master again. I cannot wait for the second book in this duology.

From the publisher
In a world at war with demons, one girl will face the ultimate test when she is forced to enter into an ancient, deadly competition for the chance to save her mother's soul… before she loses her forever. From the New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night comes the beginning of a dark and opulent fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Throne of Glass.

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.

Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.

Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, Àn’yīng finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng.

The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, Àn’yīng will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for or if he’s the most dangerous player of all . . . for herself and for all the realms.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much NetGalley and for the Author for this opportunity!!

This is definitely for the C-Drama girlies, brings me back to my younger days when I would stay up all night watching C-dramas. This story in itself was cute and for me predictable.
If you love romance and Chinese mythology you will absolutely love this!

Amélie Wen Zhao’s latest book, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom, was so good that I finished it in less than 24 hours. I absolutely loved Àn’yīng and Yù’chén, and I especially liked how we got to see each of them grow and mature as characters. I also adored the group of friends Àn’yīng made during the tournament; I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.

Overall, this was a fast-paced and riveting read. My only real complaint is that some parts felt a bit repetitive and I wasn’t a fan of how Àn’yīng had to constantly be saved by a man. I felt like we didn’t get to witness Àn’yīng’s true strength as a warrior because the male characters kept stepping in when things got dire; it would have been cool to see Àn’yīng save herself more often than she did.

As always, a huge thanks goes to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This has been advertised as a book for the “c-drama girls” - one thing is for sure, if you like drama this book is for you! Epic in scale, imagery, and way more tragic and brutal than I expected it to be.

I think a lot of Romantasy fans will enjoy this book.

I’ve been enjoying the way Amélie Wen Zhao has written books since she started and was excited to read the newest series the Three Realms. It was a strong start and had that writing style that I enjoyed and was hooked from the first page. I’m excited to read where this series will go as this was really well done.

I need the sequel ASAP! any fantasy book that has Asian elements is right up my alley and this one did not disappoint. From beginning to end, this book was utterly perfection!

After reading Amélie Wen Zhao’s last duology, I was super excited to hear about The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. The cover, the blurb, and the spoilers were all promising, and let me say— the story did not disappoint. Fast paced and beautifully written, this novel is not only satisfying but left me pining for more.

As a protagonist, Àn’yīng is wonderfully grounded. Simply put, I really liked her! She never loses sight of her main goals and her dedication towards her family. She takes accountability, even if it means swallowing hard truths. Àn’yīng is more than grand quests and skills. She has her own interests (sewing!) and they all make her very human.

In general, Amélie Wen Zhao does a great job surrounding her with a likable cast. The friendships that Àn’yīng builds are more than just a second thought. They are meaningful. They push Àn’yīng past her prejudice and towards growth. I enjoyed the heartwarming, fun interactions Àn’yīng has with them. The intricacies of Àn’yīng and Yu'chén’s relationship is also really well done. The phrase “rivals to lovers” doesn’t even begin to capture the deeply rooted trauma, fear, and prejudice that Àn’yīng needs to work through to even start their budding romance. It was done very reasonably— thank goodness we evaded insta love, because that would have negated many things about Àn’yīng’s character.

And of course, Amélie Wen Zhao’s lovely writing style captures a breathtaking vision of forests, cliffs, and sky. The majesty of immortality and Àn’yīng’s quiet village are vividly different and alive. I felt effortlessly immersed in this world of demons and magic.

I am so very excited for the next book!

This book was interesting!!! I loved the world building in the beginning and the main characters back story. The descriptive writing is great, i felt like I was actually there watching it and living in her head. Will definitely continue the series!!

this was definitely for the cdrama girlies! i’ve had pretty bad luck with this author before, but i am so happy to see that this book had the opposite effect for me. a strong start to a duology and a wonderful entry into a new, enchanting world. i was STRESSED. i was SCREAMING. i am IN LOVE.

I really hate this trope of a supposedly "tough" girl who continually needs to be saved by a man. Add in the trope of that girl then falling for the clear villain and the whole story just loses its appeal. An interesting plot, but an awful lot of it. Just a lot going on here and I couldn't really connect with anything in this.

In this amazing fantasy novel, the kingdom where An'ying lives was overrun nine years ago by demons. She has protected her mother and little sister as best she can during this time, but now her mother is dying from an attack by a demon and she must compete to gain a pill of immortality in the Immortal Trials to save her mother. This thrilling adventure takes readers along with An'ying as she faces the perilous journey to the trials and as she competes and makes allies to help her win. Will she be able to trust them all or will one betray her when it really counts?

I enjoyed the story and it kept me coming back for more any time I had to stop. I would definitely say it would be YA appropriate due to the romance between two characters.