With her home in the Moral Realm overrun by demons, Àn’yīng knows that winning the perilous Immortality Trials is her last chance to heal her dying mother. But when she meets the beautiful and deadly fellow contender, Yù’ chèn, she soon discovers she’s not the only one with secrets. Àn’yīng must quickly discover who she can trust if she has a chance at saving not only her family, but the Mortal Realms…

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is the first in a dark and enchanting duet. The first half is a little slow in places and it took a while for me to fully warm to the narration style, but the second half was a complete whirlwind fast-paced fantasy with so many plot twists, revelations and unexpected turns, I couldn’t stop reading!

The romance and evolution of character relationships is so well woven into the plot. I can’t wait to find out how the love triangle situation unfolds in book two (I know who I’m rooting for 🖤!). There’s limited spice, which felt pitched the right level for this Romantasy.

The world building is magical and I thought it was all in all a really captivating read. I’m already looking forward to book two, and I’m holding out for some redemption arcs!

Amélie Wen Zhao’s The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a spellbinding tale of intrigue, betrayal, and forbidden love, set in a richly crafted fantasy world inspired by East Asian culture. The story follows two morally complex protagonists—one a deadly assassin, the other a cunning court schemer—as their paths intertwine amidst a backdrop of political machinations and deadly secrets.

Zhao’s writing is lush and immersive, balancing intricate worldbuilding with a fast-paced, emotionally charged narrative. Themes of power, vengeance, and redemption are skillfully explored, adding layers of depth to the characters and their journey. Fans of dark fantasy with intense character dynamics will find themselves riveted by this unforgettable tale.

A perfect read for those who love intricate plots, morally ambiguous heroes, and a touch of romance that burns as fiercely as the secrets threatening to consume them.

5 ☆

『 my thoughts 』
i really enjoyed this! this fantasy books follows Àn’yĩng, a fearless, loyal, fierce FMC who would do anything to protect her family, including take part in the immortal trials to try and win the pill that could help her mothers soul be restored, after a demon nearly sucked all the life out of her.

the world building and magic system was well described and made it easy to follow and understand, the creatures and beasts and mythical creatures throughout this book were all intriguing and interesting and the Gods were a good addition to the story, adding more depth and plot building to the story.

the twists and turns in this book made it so hard for me to put the book down and i finished it in one sitting. the ending was unpredictable and made me gasp out loud. i cannot wait for the second book!

This book wasn't for me.

There is hardly any dialogue so the chapters drag and seem really long.

Àn’yīng seems powerful and driven at the start, yet becomes annoying when she enters the trials. Yù’chén gives up a pretty huge secret about himself rather quickly to a girl he barely knows. There just wasn't a lot of depth to the characters and what they were going through to really get me invested in them.

The trials themselves weren't gripping me and the overall story was just ok. I enjoyed the world building but I won't be continuing this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating – 4 stars 

I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the magic system, everything was quite vivid with the author’s lush descriptions.  

The romance is a reverse sunshine x grumpy dynamic. I really liked how the dynamic was executed at first but it kind of went downhill because Àn'ying had an extreme unnecessary hatred towards Yù’chén I always love grumpy fmcs but sadly, Àn'ying was not a character I particularly liked due to her decisions and the way she treated Yù’chén throughout the entire novel. 

I absolutely LOVED Yù’chén!!! He was undoubtedly my favourite character. He was such a well-developed character and a great love interest. He definitely carried the novel for me personally so that’s why my rating may seem quite high. He always made a scene so much better whenever he was present.

Surprisingly, I managed to guess most of the plot twists correctly. I usually wouldn’t be bothered if I guessed plot twists correctly but unfortunately, I was personally not a big fan of the plot twists that I had guessed. I think it’s because the plot just did not go in a direction that I would’ve liked.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because this doesn't deserve 4 stars at all.

Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Voyager UK, for providing me with a free copy of The Scorpion and the Night Bloom in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is the first installment in The Three Realms, a dark romantic fantasy series by Amélie Wen Zhao. In it, we follow Àn’yīng in her quest to survive the Immortality Trials to obtain a cure that could save her mother and restore her soul.

In this world, the Kingdom of Nights (demons) invaded the Kingdom of Rivers (humans) and have slowly taken everything from them. Every day is a fight for survival, but Àn’yīng has an additional goal: to get revenge on the High Demon who consumed her father's soul and half of her mother's soul years ago.

In this deadly competition, she meets Yù’chén, a person she can’t decide whether to trust, yet their paths seem to keep crossing, and they can't stay away from each other. A kind of friendship blossoms, but doubt always clouds their relationship. Yù’chén is my favorite character. He’s so multi-dimensional—mysterious yet compelling—that you can’t help but fall for him a little. Throughout the entire book, the author does an excellent job of making you doubt him while also gaining your trust, which mirrors the internal struggle Àn’yīng feels toward him. I loved their interactions and chemistry; they complemented each other perfectly, and there was so much tension. I literally held my breath a few times during the story.

The slow burn was beautifully slow, and it was the sweetest thing I’ve read in a while. We get some kind of friends-to-lovers-to-ennemies and I'M HERE FOR IT. LOVE IT.

I also loved Àn’yīng’s undying loyalty to her family, but she could be frustrating at times. I could understand her actions, but I couldn't help but think she could have seen things differently, which made it a bit harder to connect with that aspect of her character.

THE PLOT TWISTS!!! I didn’t see any of them coming. I'm still in shock—I was literally staring at my Kindle for a solid minute when I finished, while my brain tried to process everything. That said, I feel like we were told Àn’yīng was stronger than she actually was, which made some of the "fight" scenes fall a little flat. It's hinted that she is or will become a very strong and important character, but we don’t really get to see that strength. I think the fact that she’s saved by the MMC or other characters almost every time makes her seem weak.

The Chinese culture incorporated in this story was captivating and beautifully written. The writing itself is descriptive and poetic, and I had no trouble picturing the surroundings, the demons, and more. I absolutely loved it.

I will say, though, that the beginning was a bit too slow. I struggled to get into it at first and felt bored until she crossed paths with Yù’chén.

Overall, this was an incredible read. The only things that would have made it a 5-star book for me are a faster start and showing, rather than telling, the FMC's strength. Aside from that, it was a beautifully written book with compelling characters and a captivating world, where the plot twists truly take your breath away.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved the author's Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, and when she announced her adult xianxia book, I was so indescribably excited for it!! I am a major fan of xianxia, and the author has a talent for writing angsty romance in her fantasy novels, so needless to say that I have been LONGING to read The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. And it was everything I wanted!

The prose is GORGEOUS, the worldbuilding vivid and lush and mesmerizing, and the characters wrecked me for any other. Everything that happened, every line they uttered to each other carried an emotional resonance that I felt in my bones. It's not only that everything happened for a reason, it's that the story flowed from the author's heart into my soul and buried itself in there. Never felt so lucky for a 6-hour flight before, because it gave me a chance to focus on devouring this book.

We follow Àn’yīng who grew up being her family's protector and even contributed to her village's protection. She is definitely not helpless. Instead she is a competent and resourceful young woman who albeit her talents is also very aware of her limitations and what she can defeat or not. I do love self-awareness in characters. She does make some mistakes along the way, which harden her resolve to overcome any problems and forge ahead to fulfill her goals.

Yù’chén, Yù’chén. What can I say? I loved his mysterious self, his competence and brilliance, but also the sadness and loneliness he exuded. I really cannot say much about Yù’chén or the romance in this book because I can spoil even the smallest detail, and it would be a crime to spoil this book. I could ramble on the plot and pacing, but to be honest, this story is utterly mesmerizing. I felt like I dived into this world with these characters. Reviewing? Critiquing? Lol I was lost and found in this book.

Trust plays a significant role in the story. Whom to trust? Whom not to trust? Can I trust myself, my instincts and my talents? Can I trust the people I see now or the beliefs I grew up with? The author navigates us around these questions along with the characters masterfully.

I am so in love with this story, and I simply cannot wait for book 2!

This is the February adult monthly pick for a box, and I cannot wait for this beauty to arrive. It had better be glorious and fitting to this gorgeous story.

In the bezinning i thought it would be a slow read to me. But it becomes better. Like the characters and how they treat each other

Amelie wen zhao always manages to capture my attention with her writing.
I am such a huge fan and was over the moon when i got the arc of this book.

was i rooting for the wrong person? a tiny bit.

I know he was kinda of bad but we do love a bad guy ;)

the main female character knew her strenghts and use them well.
I did love the trial vibes and the fact that they have to win them to get the pill of immortality.
And even if he's bad in theory he helps her out?

The ending i need more i do not give up on my crush yet

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is the first book in the duology "The Three Realms", that leaves you eager to continue with the sequel.

The beginning chapter effectively establishes the story's sinister atmosphere and the dark, perilous environment Àn’yīng endures. Years ago, her father’s soul was fully consumed by a higher demon, ending his life. The same demon partially devoured her mother’s soul, leaving her practically a living corpse. Àn’yīng has no choice but to enter the Immortality Trials to save her mother’s life. In this deadly competition, she meets Yù’chén, who is so multi-dimensional and compelling. He’s my favourite character in this book and I loved his interactions with Àn’yīng.

I appreciated Àn’yīng unyielding loyalty to her family and you can really feel her love towards them. However, there were times when I was frustrated with Àn’yīng. In a way, I could understand her actions to a certain extent, but at times I felt she was too harsh.

I admired how the book delves into what defines a monster and the prejudice individuals face for being born the way they are. The fast pace of the story made it an exhilarating read. It was packed with so much action that there was never a dull moment. While I found the plot predictable, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I loved how the story was executed and it’s a captivating setup to book 2. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC!

This was such a magical and captivating read! I adored the Chinese culture brought into the story, and it was so lovely recognising some of the Mandarin terms from my time growing up in Singapore.
The story is very well written and I never wanted to put the book down as the drama unfolded.
The characters are compelling and I really felt the tension between the FMC and MMC. I did not predict some of the twists in near the end, and I was on the edge of my seat! I can't wait for the the continuation of this story.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins UK for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I could put this book down – absolutely loved it.

I've yet to be disappointed by any book I've read by Amelie Wen Zhao, and this one was no exception!
The writing bring really beautiful imagery and I loved Amelie's way that she writes romance.
Such a page turner, and I can't wait for more!

This book has such excellent world building, and was full of characters that gripped me. The enemies to lovers romance was so brilliantly done, I was desperate for more ... And the twists at the end have me dying for the sequel!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

For the lovers of C-Drama...This one is definitely for you!

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is an enthralling read which follows Àn’yīng, a young woman who enters the Immortality Trials, a deadly competition with an enticing prize—a pill which grants eternal life. This item is one of which Àn’yīng is desperate to obtain, to help save her dying mother. Along the way, she meets Yù’chén, a mysterious and ethereal competitor, with many secrets about his past.

In a xianxia-esque world where demons roam the realms, this story with lush descriptions of scenery along with fast-paced action and swoony forbidden-love romance is sure to take your breath away. There were many twists and turns to this book, some of which I saw coming (but it did not make it any less enjoyable!) and others I did not—but overall it was a whirlwind a book. What stood out to me the most was how this book really highlights the prejudices and judgement that people can face, just because of who they are and what they are born into.

I have to admit, I found Àn’yīng and her decisions quite frustrating at times. Her feelings were quite fluctuant and sometimes she was not as strong as I would have hoped (I found she needed saving quite a lot), but I do admire her fierce loyalty and protectiveness over her family and her sister.
Yù’chén on the other hand was more of an interesting character, with more layers and depth and mystery. I liked Hao'yang and would love to know more about his backstory, and I found Li'ling adorable.

Overall, this was a lovely read and I am sure lovers of C-drama and xianxia themes would love this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC, I really enjoyed it!

Actual Rating:4.25

If you’re a fan of stories inspired by Asian mythology then ’The Scorpion And The Night Blossom’ should definitely be on your list of books to check out in 2025. And if, like me, you also happen to have a weakness for vampires then you may well be on the road to finding a new favourite. Granted the beings that I’m referring to are demons and not the undead but when they come from the ‘Kingdom Of Night’ and many thirst for blood the vibes are undeniably there, leading to me swiftly finding myself besotted with this wondrous world.

One thing I’ve noticed with the stories I’ve read so far with roots in Asian mythology is how beautifully they’re penned and this one is certainly no exception. Whilst reading there were numerous sections that struck me, painting the world, emotions and sentiments so beautifully that I was awestruck. Somehow this was my first time reading a book by Amélie Wen Zhao but it certainly won’t be my last if all of her writing is as enticing as this. Similarly I was utterly captivated by the vivid manner in which she brought her world to life. There were moments of magic and wonder alongside lots of darkness, danger and despair, resulting in a world that was utterly addictive to explore.

Many of the mythical features of this story I’ve come across before in other similarly inspired tales but I truly enjoyed seeing this authors take on them which breathed new life into familiar themes. The way that the ‘magic’ within this world worked was fascinating and I adored unravelling it with Àn’yīng over the course of the novel. What truly stood out to me though was the depiction of demons within this world. Giving some of them a vampiric edge utterly captivated me from that very first appearance, creating dark beings that I couldn’t help but find myself fascinated by. There’s a variety of other beings within their world too and each was brought vividly to life, varying in many ways. In all honesty I think this is my favourite approach to the demons of Asian mythology that I’ve come across to date which is truly saying something.

Character wise everybody felt believably fleshed out and was intriguing to learn about. Àn’yīng and Yù’chén were my favourites but I found many other individuals fascinating too. Lì’líng I’d have loved to have seen on page a little more, as she vanished for a while, but I adored her and her fellow yāo’jīngs too. The chemistry between characters was delightful and I truly appreciated the unique manner in which Àn’yīng and Yù’chén met; if you want a meeting that stays with you, this is certainly what you’re looking for. Although I will admit that I found Àn’yīng’s bargaining a bit disheartening; the actual deals that were struck were perfect but the manner that she went about asking for them grated on me somewhat. Ultimately I understood her change in attitude but I did miss the earlier vibes involved with her and one other prior to their secrets coming out.

Other than that the only thing really holding me back from giving this five full stars is a slight questioning of Àn’yīng’s course of action when one of the trials starts up and the fact that Yàn’lù felt a little repetitive to me. Granted that last factor made sense by the end of the novel which showed a level of planning that I hadn’t quite predicted. Everything clicked into place beautifully and there were lots of revelations involved that caught me off guard, threads pulling together in a way that enthralled me.

Overall I certainly recommend checking out ’The Scorpion And The Night Blossom’ and can see it delighting many a fan of the genre. It’s an action packed novel set within a beautifully depicted, danger ridden world; it has the most intriguing demons that I’ve come across, romance to melt your heart and twists that will leave you itching for more. Plus it’s penned in a beautiful manner that will leave you instantly enchanted. Needless to say I cannot wait for the sequel to release.

Although I haven’t seen a copy of this book in print yet it looks as if it’s going to contain a truly stunning map which I can’t wait to see in person.

I’m still trying to process this book. wow. just wow.

I was not expecting this story to affect me as it did. I have to start by saying that I absolutely hated the way Àn’yīng acted towards Yù’chén for the majority of the book. I was really close to giving this 4 stars instead of 5, simply because I just couldn’t take him being her personal punching bag anymore. alas, I decided to trust that the author was doing everything for a reason.

moving on, the plot is so well done here. it’s incredibly fast-paced and you’re always at the edge of your seat because the stakes are genuinely high. there’s no room for failure or mistake, not for Àn’yīng and her duty to save and protect her family. I admired her tenacity and willingness to do anything for the people she loved. also, the world is painted so vividly, you can almost feel as if you’re right there, too.

while, as I said, I didn’t appreciate Àn’yīng’s behaviour towards Yù’chén, I do have to admit that, over the course of the book, she grows and shifts her views in regards to the halflings she encounters on her journey. it was rewarding to see her overcome her preconceived notions and form close bonds.

and Yù’chén 😫 I have no words. he’s truly my favourite thing about this book and nothing will change my mind. my heart hurts for him and he deserves the world.

there were a couple of twists and turns in this book, some of them I anticipated and some I didn’t. and, like I mentioned before, I am firmly on Yù’chén’s side ♥️

I really hope the sequel goes in the direction I want it to, or else I’m gonna be really disappointed haha

A captivating read from start to finish, full of action, adventure, mystery and romance. I loved every second of this!!

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao is such a good book. The story is fenomenal. I will totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK for the ARC!

“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩.”

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao is the first installment in The Three Realms duology, a dark romantasy series.

This book was an amazing read and a refresher. After reading a very political fantasy book, this was a very good palate cleanser filled with Chinese Mythology and romantasy aspects.

The story follows An'yīng, a fierce young woman who takes on the role of protector after the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tears her family apart. Her journey is fraught and emotional in many senses, including peril.

Yù'chén was a brilliantly developed character. The raw reality and emotions were beautifully expressed and his motivations were well developed like his thoughts.

Set in a dark and ominous backdrop, the formidable nature of the demons were well set up. The angst from keeping family ties safe while trying find yourself beneath all the layers of uncertainty and romance was the selling point of this book for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and took my sweet time enjoying every bit of it.

The luscious backdrop, the blend of mythology and fantasy, character development and plot twists were the best parts. I enjoyed seeing through the eyes of the protagonist and the jaw dropping plot twists that had me rethink my reality.

Overall, this was a fast paced and amazing read, filled with forbidden romance, deadly trials, high stakes and a perfect blend of Chinese Mythology.