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A review by natashaleighton_
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
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