This one’s for the c-drama girlies.”

That’s me; I’m the chinese drama girlie.
And you know what? It’s accurate. It has the action, the ill fated romance and tragedy of a xianxia drama and the fancy wardrobe to go with it.

It’s Journey of Flower with the angst of Ashes of love and the romance of Back from the brink… and the classic star crossed lover situation I fall for every single time.

For those who have read the Celestial realms duet, you might have a sense of deja-vu: girl wants to save her mom, learns about her heroic father, gets entangled in a potential love triangle (it’s complicated) and ✨dragons✨. It’s kind of a cliché story, with predictable twists and cliché tropes… but there is a reason I will watch most costume dramas.

It’s the best.

The scorpion and the night blossom is entertaining, addictive, and had me hooked rather quickly. It’s not smooth sailing like the last drama I watched and has the potential to rip my heart out a few many times, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘮 combines elements from our favorite YA books of the early 2000s in a fresh, invigorating, and opulent story. It's a dark, dangerously addictive Chinese romantasy with enchanting mythology, a high-stakes plot, and complex characters.

We follow a strong female protagonist, Àn’yīng, as she reluctantly leaves her dying mother and younger sister in the mortal realm while she seeks a pill of immortal life to save her mother in the Immortality Trials. As the Trials advance, Àn’yīng finds herself unprepared, attracted to her rival-turned-ally, and suspicious of a likely monster lurking in the dark of the candidate's palace. She's also uncovering mysteries from her childhood, including the identity of her protector and his connection to her father, as war between realms looms on the horizon. Unbeknownst to Àn’yīng, she may play a larger role in the fate of the world than she ever could have imagined.

I really enjoyed the sensical character motivations, mesmerizing world, and fast-paced plot. It's well-written, mystical and immersive. I was very invested in Àn’yīng's, and even Yù’chén's, well being in the ancient, deadly competition with demons (and romance).

My only complaint lies with Àn’yīng, who is supposedly a strong defender of her family against the mó, yet she is saved over and over by Yù’chén, her friends, or her pendant guardian, and I wanted her to display more competence and self-sufficiency through the Trials. The minute she steps foot in the immortal realm, she's viewed as the weakest and most incompetent, and it seemed strange and unfitting to me. I didn't want her to not need any help, but I was disappointed that she had so much assistance from others. Also, Yù’chén, our brooding love interest, didn't have his backstory revealed until the end of the book, and I would have ideally enjoyed a bit more from him in this first book!

Zhao masterfully crafted this addictive story, and I am eager for the next installment!

Also... the sewing kit. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘪𝘵!!!! Iykyk.

An advanced digital copy was received from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Amélie Wen Zhao is an author whose books I always enjoy, so I was thrilled to get an ARC of this one. The story follows Àn’yīng, a girl living in a world overrun by demons, who enters a deadly competition to save her mother’s soul. Armed with crescent blades and her skills as a practitioner, Àn’yīng battles the mó (demons), with unexpected aid from a fellow contestant, the mysterious and powerful Yù’chén.

As in Zhao’s other books, I fell in love with the world she crafted. I’m drawn to apocalyptic survival themes, and this book has a touch of that. Àn’yīng and her family live in a warded village, but she must venture beyond the wards to support them, showcasing her resilience and skills. The world is dark and full of eerie creatures—the descriptions of the mó are particularly chilling, immersing me fully in this dangerous setting. I also loved the contrast between the Immortal Realm and the Realm of Rivers (the mortal realm); Zhao’s vivid descriptions made the divide feel strikingly post-apocalyptic.

Àn’yīng is a relatable character, carrying heavy burdens and a deep-seated resentment toward the mó. She’s steadfast in her values, yet her worldview shifts when she encounters Yù’chén, whose interest in her adds complexity to the story. He’s dark, brooding, and powerful, though he remains enigmatic for much of the book. I would have loved to see more of Yù’chén, especially since his reasons for joining the competition are only revealed at the end. I’m curious about his backstory and how his relationship with Àn’yīng might evolve in the series.

While the pacing felt swift, focusing primarily on Àn’yīng’s trials, I wished for a bit more of a “level-up” journey for her character. Her growth seemed sudden at times, and I personally enjoy a gradual montage of skills development. The ending, while not a major twist, left me intrigued and eager for more.

Overall, I’m excited to be immersed in another world by Amélie Wen Zhao. This book is a strong start to The Three Realms series, and I can’t wait to see where Àn’yīng and Yù’chén’s stories lead.

Thank you again, NetGalley, for the ARC!

A dark romantasy featuring rivals to lovers! Sign me up. And it’s a dark Chinese romantasy?! I’m so here for the representation.

We have An ying, a badass FMC who steps into the role of protector after a war between the Kingdom of the Night and the Kingdom of Rivers leads to deep divide within her own family. Now, An ying must survive the Immortality Trials - with the prize of a pill of an eternal life at the end. The immortal realm though is shrouded in its own secrets and An ying must evade death at every turn.

This book is filled with a fast paced plot and multi dimensional characters. The blossoming romance between An ying and Yu chen adds a layer of emotional depth to the story that I absolutely loved.

I absolutely cannot wait to find out what the conclusion is to this enthralling duology.

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!