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bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews about this book which had me feeling even more excited to read this one. Sadly, I couldn’t say the same about this book.
The plot idea is really good, the first time I read the blurb I was intrigued and it caught my interest for the first few chapters.
But somewhere in the middle, the pacing took a slow turn and I started to lose interest in following this story.
I finally got interested again in the last 30%, where the puzzle pieces start to come together and the secrets are revealed.
I had difficulties with understanding the magic system and the world building.
I appreciate the history of the world at the beginning of the story but somehow it doesn’t make it easier for me to follow the plot. At times, I would get confused and also feel bored with the repeated information provided throughout the story.
As for the characters, it’s hard for me to connect with them and I can’t even feel the spark of romance between the main characters. When they’re trying to speak out their feelings, they’ll got cut off with something else happening.
Overall, this book has a lot of amazing elements but the slow pacing and the info dumping makes it really hard for me to fully enjoy it.
I was really closed to stop reading it altogether but the last few chapters and the epilogue change my mind. I’m curious to see what’s gonna happen in the next book.
While this one didn't really work for me, you can still give this one a try if you love reading about detailed world building and a fantasy story without much romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
honuzbubbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Racial slurs, Torture, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
briely's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
chaos_and_chapters's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Slavery, Medical content, and Cannibalism
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Colonisation
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
leedolee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A great read! I found myself unable to put this book down as I wanted to keep on reading and find out what came next. The entire plot line, the characters, the lore, and the world were all entertaining, well fleshed-out, and exciting! I’m definitely going to be counting down the days until the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Medical content, and Cultural appropriation
shainalite's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
it's a perfect book for Daughter of the Moon Goddess fans and those who love reading books inspired by Chinese mythology. Song of Silver, Flame like Night is YA fantasy (and a little bit romance) book which absorbs every reader to its world and holds their attention until the very last words. Told in multiple POVs, mainly our main characters Lan and Zen, the author gives them balanced portion of pages to tell their stories with distinctive voices. You can easily know which one is Lan's and Zen's since the two spoke differently. It's a book which is a little bit difficult to follow at first since it used new terms and it gets easier as we get deeper into the book. Some explanations were longer than the others especially about the magic system and world building related ones, yet since it's given to the right character to 'explain', it's an okay for me. For the romance part, as a reader who prefer less romance part in a fantasy book, this book has the right amount of romance I need in a book even though it needs a little bit pages to show the chemistry between Lan and Zen. I love how Book 1 ended especially the last chapter and epilogue which showed the readers what to expect within the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Trafficking
Minor: Genocide and Cannibalism
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A beautifully crafted and utterly compelling, Xianxia-style fantasy, steeped in Chinese mythology which was thrilling and heart-wrenching in equal measure. This is actually only the first of Amélie Wen Zhao’s books that I’ve ever read. And given the gorgeously detailed world building, complex (and multidimensional) characters and the skilful tackling of important themes (such as: generational trauma, the price of power and the untold destruction colonialism causes) it certainly won’t be the last.
It follows Lián’ér a member of the Hin people who—after her country falls to Elantian colonisers—finds herself scavenging for scraps of the past or anything that will help her to understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother, in her last act before death.
Having been forced to take a new name by the people who killed her mother, outlawed her country’s unique magic and steal its precious resources for its own gain; Lan—now a song girl at the Rose Pavilion Teahouse, spends her days earning her keep by singing to Madam Meng’s patrons.
No one can see the mysterious mark… until Zen appears at the teahouse and saves her life. Zen is a practitioner (a fabled magician whose magical abilities are rumoured to come from the demons they commune with.) Magic that was long thought lost, and which could be the key to understanding the mark and the secrets that died with her mother. But the magic must remain hidden at all costs.
Despite each of their own long buried secrets, Lan and Zen’s have been brought together by fate—but their destiny still has yet to be written. For the power they both hold could free the kingdom and it’s people… or cause the world’s very destruction.
This was an incredible read and I enjoyed just how all encompassing and immersive it was! The world building was especially good and soo detailed that I definitely lost myself in all the incredible descriptions for a while. And, despite the sheer depth and breadth of the mythology that Wen Zhao intricately crafts (the history surrounding the ninety nine clans, each Kingdom era and the lore surrounding the four demons) the pace was remarkably consistent and never dragged or felt slow. Likewise, the magic system was incredibly intriguing—the concept of balance being necessary for the Kingdom (and the world’s survival) was especially interesting.
But personally, it was the nuanced, flawed and multifaceted characters that I intrigued me the most. Lan, was such a sassy and genuinely funny protagonist who despite all the heartbreak and pain she’s had to endure, shows great courage in facing once again having to face the perpetrators who have caused it all. Her journey (and her path to self discovery) was truly inspiring. I don’t think I could be half a courageous if put in her position.
Zen too, was a really interesting character who is dealing with struggles of his own that we don’t really get to know a lot about until the second half of the book. I enjoyed the air of mystery that surrounds him but the exquisitely developed personal arc (in which Zen must make some truly difficult choices) was masterfully done and really kept an edge of intense ambiguity right up until that phenomenal ending.
It is told through both Lan and Zen’s alternating POVs which I really enjoyed and felt it added soo much depth to both characters, as we watch their interactions turn from reluctant allies to friends and then, into something more. I was definitely a fan of the playful teasing and flirtatious banter we’re treated to. If you love your romance swoon worthy and deliciously slow burn then you’re gonna adore these two.
I also wanted to mention that themes centred around some pretty heavy subject material are explored; involving colonialism, cultural appropriation and exploitation (as well as racism, sexism and brief mentions sexual harassment/violence) so do bare this in mind before reading. That being said, it’s definitely handled sensitively and does highlight some important and relevant issues that definitely need to be discussed further.
Overall, an exquisite and breathtakingly masterful series starter that lovers of sweeping fantasy epics and unforgettably complex characters are going to absolutely devour. I’m genuinely excited to see what happens next.
Also, thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for this absolutely gorgeous finished copy.
It follows Lián’ér a member of the Hin people who—after her country falls to Elantian colonisers—finds herself scavenging for scraps of the past or anything that will help her to understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother, in her last act before death.
Having been forced to take a new name by the people who killed her mother, outlawed her country’s unique magic and steal its precious resources for its own gain; Lan—now a song girl at the Rose Pavilion Teahouse, spends her days earning her keep by singing to Madam Meng’s patrons.
No one can see the mysterious mark… until Zen appears at the teahouse and saves her life. Zen is a practitioner (a fabled magician whose magical abilities are rumoured to come from the demons they commune with.) Magic that was long thought lost, and which could be the key to understanding the mark and the secrets that died with her mother. But the magic must remain hidden at all costs.
Despite each of their own long buried secrets, Lan and Zen’s have been brought together by fate—but their destiny still has yet to be written. For the power they both hold could free the kingdom and it’s people… or cause the world’s very destruction.
This was an incredible read and I enjoyed just how all encompassing and immersive it was! The world building was especially good and soo detailed that I definitely lost myself in all the incredible descriptions for a while. And, despite the sheer depth and breadth of the mythology that Wen Zhao intricately crafts (the history surrounding the ninety nine clans, each Kingdom era and the lore surrounding the four demons) the pace was remarkably consistent and never dragged or felt slow. Likewise, the magic system was incredibly intriguing—the concept of balance being necessary for the Kingdom (and the world’s survival) was especially interesting.
But personally, it was the nuanced, flawed and multifaceted characters that I intrigued me the most. Lan, was such a sassy and genuinely funny protagonist who despite all the heartbreak and pain she’s had to endure, shows great courage in facing once again having to face the perpetrators who have caused it all. Her journey (and her path to self discovery) was truly inspiring. I don’t think I could be half a courageous if put in her position.
Zen too, was a really interesting character who is dealing with struggles of his own that we don’t really get to know a lot about until the second half of the book. I enjoyed the air of mystery that surrounds him but the exquisitely developed personal arc (in which Zen must make some truly difficult choices) was masterfully done and really kept an edge of intense ambiguity right up until that phenomenal ending.
It is told through both Lan and Zen’s alternating POVs which I really enjoyed and felt it added soo much depth to both characters, as we watch their interactions turn from reluctant allies to friends and then, into something more. I was definitely a fan of the playful teasing and flirtatious banter we’re treated to. If you love your romance swoon worthy and deliciously slow burn then you’re gonna adore these two.
I also wanted to mention that themes centred around some pretty heavy subject material are explored; involving colonialism, cultural appropriation and exploitation (as well as racism, sexism and brief mentions sexual harassment/violence) so do bare this in mind before reading. That being said, it’s definitely handled sensitively and does highlight some important and relevant issues that definitely need to be discussed further.
Overall, an exquisite and breathtakingly masterful series starter that lovers of sweeping fantasy epics and unforgettably complex characters are going to absolutely devour. I’m genuinely excited to see what happens next.
Also, thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for this absolutely gorgeous finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Sexual violence, Torture, Grief, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual harassment
jessicaludden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"It is the duty of those with power to protect those without."
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC of this book!
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is inspired by ancient Chinese folklore and mythology. It follows Lan as she tries to uncover the mystery behind a symbol burned onto her wrist by her mother as she died. Lan is saved by Zen, a practitioner who wields magic and is the first person who can actually see the mark on Lan's wrist. Together, they reveal the secrets about their fallen kingdom and the magic that many thought was lost.
This book absolutely blew me away. I fell in love with this world. The world building is so intricate and full of rich histories that it makes everything feel so realistic. I loved The attention to detail when it came to the magic system and the history of the dynasties previously. This book was action packed and had so many twists that kept me begging for more. I fell in love with the main characters and resonated with the losses they were feeling. I loved this book's take on colonization and the impacts that it has on civilizations. What I loved most about this book was it's commentary on the balance of power and how good and evil cannot exist without one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC of this book!
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is inspired by ancient Chinese folklore and mythology. It follows Lan as she tries to uncover the mystery behind a symbol burned onto her wrist by her mother as she died. Lan is saved by Zen, a practitioner who wields magic and is the first person who can actually see the mark on Lan's wrist. Together, they reveal the secrets about their fallen kingdom and the magic that many thought was lost.
This book absolutely blew me away. I fell in love with this world. The world building is so intricate and full of rich histories that it makes everything feel so realistic. I loved The attention to detail when it came to the magic system and the history of the dynasties previously. This book was action packed and had so many twists that kept me begging for more. I fell in love with the main characters and resonated with the losses they were feeling. I loved this book's take on colonization and the impacts that it has on civilizations. What I loved most about this book was it's commentary on the balance of power and how good and evil cannot exist without one another.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War