I love a good c-drama and boy did this feel like one! It was so compelling from the very start. The opening chapter hooked me right away! Honestly I was expecting this book to be a love for me because it’s got all the things I love; deadly trails, a mysterious MMC, demons and a FMC I can relate too. However, I feel like the vibrancy of the writing is what really sold this book for me. The author just did such a good job of describing everything that you really feel like you’re standing there in the world experiencing it all..

A great fantasy for cdrama fans. There is a lot here that echoes the epic fantasies found in Asia and I can definitely see where inspiration comes from.

This story specifically I would recommend for fans angsty twisty melodrama. The sort that ups the stakes every chapter in an increasingly dramatic take, but that really puts you through it emotionally. I think if you're looking for a fantasy soap opera in book form you'll find it here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

Who gave this book the right to make me feel the multitude of ways that it made me feel?? Who gave this book the right to be so utterly beautiful in so many ways??

From the start, you are truly drawn into the story and the action. There is no escaping, no reason to because it truly is that good, makes you need to know what is coming next. It's action packed from page one, but then the underlying schemes, the romance, the world itself shine so brightly that there's nothing you want to see more.

And don't get me started on the angst of the book. I am such a sucker for an angsty, tragic backstory love interest, and boy does this book deliver. Just because you know what's coming (in one sense or another), that doesn't make it any easier when it comes time to face the facts. Especially when faced with the facts that you never saw coming at all.

This book is going to take the fantasy world by storm, and I cannot wait to see it happen! I will be anxiously awaiting the next book and trying to not constantly think about this one for days on end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

For me it was a so, so read. I read it based on the title, cover and description, but it failed to keep my interest.

Seems to need some more editing and word building.

Three stars.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom took me a few chapters to get into, as there is a bit of world building and politics, but I ended it absolutely enthralled. The character development, story line, and An’ying choosing her destiny.

The last quarter of the book did go by fast for me, and I wish we could have experienced what An’ying’s training was like with Hào’yáng. At the end of the book I am not entirely sure what their relationship is. But Yù’chén?? New favorite shadow MMC. I cannot wait to read how the relationships between the three continue to grow across the battle fields.

This book seemed like a bit of a slow start for me but by the end I couldn’t put it down. Just when I was starting to really love some characters, my heart is ripped out and smashed into the dirt. This book was well written and I need the next one now!

As always, thank you to Net Galley for the free ARC and allowing me to share my thoughts.

Well written characters that do not disappoint. I need book two now! The ending ripped out my heart and I'm not sure what to feel anymore

I will scream on the mountain tops about this book! From the first page, I was absolutely hooked. The world, the characters, and the epic storytelling all blend together to create a thrilling, high stakes romantasy. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for letting me read Amélie Wen Zhao‘s The Scorpion and The Night Blossom! So so so good! This is my first time reading this author but I’ve been aware of her name for a few years and now I’m sad I haven’t been reading her in those years! Such beautiful writing, impeccable world-building, high stakes romance and betrayals, this book is for anyone who loves a fast-paced fantasy.

This book mixes alot of different things combined. Mythology and Chinese and mystery and drama. I was sucked in at first, then it kinda flipped on me. It kept having what I call flashbacks, which is fine, but somehow I got lost in the story somehow and had to keep going back and re-reading part of it. I enjoyed the story plot, and what the author was trying to say, but it just wasn’t for me. I had too much trouble keeping up with it. It cld be because I’m not so familiar with that culture. I wld like to revisit this book in the future and re-read it and maybe it will hit different for me. I did love the storyline and the world building, it was just how it was executed that got me confused.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Random House for allowing me an ARC!

Fans of Sue Lynn Tan's Celestial Kingdom, this one should be on your radar!

Àn'yīng has spent nearly a decade of her trying to put her life back together. In the wake of a demon killing her father and nearly stealing her mother's soul, Àn'yīng has sought any way to restore her mother to her former self and help her family.

Enter the Immortality Trials held in the Sky Kingdom, the winner will be granted a pill for eternal life and Àn'yīng believes this is the best way to save her mother.

Armed with her blades and her determination, she sets off one night but runs into Yù'chén, a man also on his way to the Trials, and whose fate is so much more entwined with Àn'yīng's than she could ever guess.

This was SUCH a fantastic read, and God I cannot wait for the sequel. I need some answers!

Excellent. The plot was a wonderful blend of the old familiar story line of chosen one in trials meshed with fresh new details and nuance. I enjoyed the characters and I understood their motivations and actions. The incredibly slow burn romance was delicious and spoiler alert, we're set up for a possible love triangle involving estranged half brothers and our FMC in the next book. Absolutely scrumptious. There was great pacing with the action and plot reveals and I can't wait to pick up book 2 when it comes out. I also really enjoyed the foray into Chinese mythology and setting.

This amazing book is the first in a duology by Wen Zhao and it was FANTASTIC. Exactly what I was looking for - a book I could not put down.

Àn’yīng and her family have suffered so much at the hands of the mó, and she needs to step up to the plate and figure out what to do about it. She enters into the Immortality Trials and meets Yù’chén who turns out to protect Àn’yīng at all necessary turns. Sounds like your typical romantasy, right? While that may be true, there is plenty within these pages to make the world of the Kingdom of Rivers new and exciting. Loveable side characters, an enemies to lovers trope, adventure, secrets and lies revealed; it's a smorgasbord of information that drives the plot forward in a fabulous way.

I figured out many of the reveals that are in the last quarter of the book, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of this work, nor did it spoil how those things come to light. Wen Zhao has created a book that ticks all of the boxes for what makes a great fantasy, with a realistic heroine to boot. How in the world I'm supposed to wait for a second book is beyond me but it will certainly give me the chance to re-read this one before diving in.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was spectacular.

This book was great! The fantasy world was so well done and it was so fun to read and I could not put it down! Highly recommend!

4/5! This was my first romantasy XianXia novel and I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. Definitely a good introduction to Chinese mythology but names can get confusing if you’re not familiar with pronunciation system. I initially added the book to my TBR because of a few snippets the author posted. I recommend checking those out if you haven't already to get a better idea of the vibe. Tropes I love that got me into this book:
- forced proximity
- enemies to lovers (they're rivals)
- "touch her and die"
- mmc is soft/vulnerable when with fmc

I loveee the tension between the fmc and mmc when they're not supposed to be together, and An Ying and Yu Chen are just that. Then there were a few scenes where I just had to pause and attempt to hide my squeal because I was reading it on public transit... Spoiler alert !!!!!


I NEED THE SECOND BOOK ASAP PLS CUZ WHAT WAS THAT ENDING. I hate love triangles. While it’s clear who’s end game (pleaseeee), why does Hao Yang carry so much weight!! Like ughhh, I want more Yu Chen. I feel like it’s going to go the cliche route of An Ying being with Hao Yang and denying Yu Chen, only for her to suddenly realize she can’t fake it anymore and runs away. Anyway, one of my favorite bookstores is partnering with her so I already preordered the signed & personalized special edition. Can't wait!!

A lush, dark fantasy full of demons, blood, love and betrayal. The Kingdom of Night is no longer content to stay within its boundaries and overruns the human Kingdom of Rivers. The demons feed off the flesh and blood of the mortals. Àn’yīng must travel to the Kingdom of the Sky to fight for a pill of immortality to save her mother, who is only half alive after an encounter with a demon, the same encounter in which she lost her father. But the journey is dangerous. Yù’chén is also on his way to the Kingdom of the Sky to enter the trials to win the pill of immortality and after a chance meeting, decides that he and Àn’yīng should travel together. Yù’chén is devastatingly handsome, but also seems to be hiding something. Can Àn’yīng trust him? Should she? This gripping story will keep you in it's grasp until the final shocking end. I can't wait for book 2!

I am completely enchanted! This book is a breathtaking blend of fantasy, romance, and rich cultural elements that swept me off my feet. Zhao’s storytelling is absolutely mesmerizing. The world-building is intricate and immersive, pulling you into a realm filled with magic, danger, and unforgettable characters. I was particularly captivated by the dynamic between the protagonists—their chemistry is electric, and their journey is filled with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat!

What I loved most was how the themes of identity and resilience are woven throughout the narrative. The characters face incredible challenges, and their growth is both inspiring and relatable. Zhao’s writing is lyrical, painting vivid images that made me feel like I was right there alongside them, experiencing every moment.

If you’re looking for a book that combines adventure, romance, and a touch of magic, "The Scorpion and the Night Blossom" is an absolute must-read! It’s the kind of story that lingers in your heart long after you’ve turned the last page.

*The Scorpion and the Night Blossom* by Amélie Wen Zhao is a breathtaking journey through a dark, demon-filled world, brimming with danger, heart, and stunning twists. Àn’yīng’s fierce determination to save her mother in the deadly Immortality Trials is as gripping as it is emotional, and the chemistry with the enigmatic Yù’chén adds a layer of irresistible intrigue. With rich world-building, intense action, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is a must-read for fantasy lovers craving high stakes and heartfelt connections!

This would make such a good c-drama! I love these kinds of historical fantasy dramas, so this was right up my alley. The action and trials were exciting, and so was the banter between An’ying and Yu'chen! The imagery was also wonderful, from the descriptions of sceneries, food, and body horror.
I was definitely rooting for An'ying and Yu'chen and was yelling at them through the screen whenever one of them said something that ruined the moment! I'm also looking forward to seeing more of An'ying's friend group in the next book.
The only issue I had was that two of the reveals were pretty obvious to me, and there was one trope that I (personally) didn't really like. Otherwise, I had a great time with this!

As someone who devours Asian fantasy, lore and mythology, this was a spell-binding read for me. I came for the action, the creatures, the demons - this did not disappoint!!!!
This is my first read by Amelie Wen Zhao, and it certainly will NOT be my last!
This story follows An Yīng, a young girl who is desperately seeking a cure for her mother’s dangerously damaged soul. The solution? The Immortality Trials.
This book was filled with epic fight scenes, soul-sucking demons and mythological creatures of all kinds. The plot twists and hidden clues were very well done, causing me to be somewhat surprised each time.
Set against a richly woven tapestry of Chinese folklore, the world-building is one of the book’s strongest points. Readers are drawn into a realm where spirits, demons, and divine beings lurk in every corner, each carrying their own set of rules and dangers. The novel brings to life well-known elements of Chinese mythology—immense mountains, celestial beings, and the delicate balance between good and evil—with a fresh and immersive twist.
Ultimately, this is a thrilling, emotionally charged fantasy novel that blends mythological richness with a relatable, underdog story of resilience. It’s a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, particularly those with an interest in Chinese mythology and folklore. An Yīng’s journey is one of perseverance, and readers will find themselves eagerly turning pages to see if she can overcome the overwhelming forces arrayed against her.