Amélie Wen Zhao has long established herself as one of my favorite authors, and every book I read by her only further confirms it.
I know she's referred to this book as her most self-indulgent one yet and that it's sort of an ode to her love of C-drama, and personally I'd happily read more books like this from her. I love a good romantasy and this one just really hit all the spots for me.
The enemies to lovers was done so well, I really enjoyed the way the relationship between them evolved and shifted, along with some interesting twists and turns along the way.
The plot itself was also great. I generally enjoy the trials trope, but the way it was done here is typically my favorite – there is a trial here and there, but it's not really the main plot because there are a lot of other things going on.
The writing was beautiful as always, same with the world. These two aspects are part of what makes me love the author so much.
And, of course, the emotions – it's not an AWZ book if I don't cry lol. The end had me in tears as usual, and I cannot wait to see how this story unfolds in book 2.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of romantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

⭐⭐ 2 Stars

I really wanted to love The Scorpion and the Night Blossom, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I’ll start with the positives: the world-building was extensive and well thought out. Amélie Wen Zhao clearly put a lot of effort into crafting the setting, and it felt immersive and rich with mythology. If you love detailed fantasy worlds, there’s a lot to appreciate here!
However, the writing style really didn’t work for me. It felt clunky and unnatural at times, which made it hard to stay engaged. I’m not sure if it was intentional to match the setting, but it ended up pulling me out of the story rather than drawing me in.
Then there’s Àn’yīng, our main character. I completely understand that she’s been through a lot—losing her family so young definitely left her with deep trauma—but it felt like that was all there was to her. Every other sentence was about her tragic past, and it started to feel repetitive rather than adding depth to her character. That emotional flatness extended to the rest of the cast as well, including Yù’chén, the love interest. Their relationship never clicked for me, and it was hard to root for them when Àn’yīng was often just outright mean to him for no reason.
What really unsettled me, though, were some of Àn’yīng’s comments about halflings. Lines like “A thing like this has no place in our realm” and “These creatures wander the fringes of the world, abominations under the heavenly order” made me do a double take. I kept waiting for the book to challenge these ideas or show real character growth, but even though she becomes friends with some halflings, it felt like it was only because they were useful to her. She never truly reflects on her prejudices, which left a sour taste in my mouth.
On top of all that, the pacing was really slow. There was very little dialogue, which made the characters feel even more distant, and the main action didn’t even start until around the 50% mark. By then, I was already struggling to stay invested.

I know this book will have its audience, and I respect the work that went into it, but personally, I didn’t connect with the characters, the romance, or the way certain themes were handled. Sadly, I won’t be continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Well, this book wasn't for me. The pacing was very confusing, most of the characters - underdeveloped and I just couldn't stand the MC.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story overall.

I loved the Chinese culture and mythology woven into the story as well as the names of the characters. The plot was dramatic in its flow. I struggled to stay attached to the story in sections, and other sections were so engaging that I struggled to put the book down to do adulty things like work and sleep.

I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Trials are my kryptonite, so when I was offered an e-ARC of this book I LEAPED at the opportunity.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom had all of the plot points I would typically be hooked by (a badass FMC, forbidden love, “touch her and die”) but I still found it difficult to finish. The side characters were not as developed as I would have liked them to be and felt one dimensional. The saving grace was Wen Zhao’s prose. She created such vivid imagery I wanted to be transported into the story despite the demon problem lol. Overall, I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars. I plan to pick it back up in the future for a re-read to give it another chance.

Unfortunately for my wallet, there are a couple stunning editions coming out so I will be caught red handed tracking down a copy on release day.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao is an enthralling and atmospheric fantasy that expertly blends dark intrigue with a compelling journey of survival, rivalry, and self-discovery. Set in a world ravaged by demons and on the brink of eternal night, this is the first book in an exciting duology that promises to captivate fans of high-stakes fantasy with rich world-building and an unforgettable romance.

Àn’yīng's life was shattered nine years ago when the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers left her mother gravely injured and her family torn apart. Now, the mortal realm is falling under the rule of mó—ravenous demons who feast on human souls. Desperate to save her mother, Àn’yīng enters the Immortality Trials, a brutal and deadly competition where the prize is a pill of eternal life, the only hope for her mother's survival.

However, the Trials are not for the faint of heart—death is almost guaranteed for most contestants. Yet, Àn’yīng begins to notice that a mysterious and powerful rival, Yù’chén, is helping her survive. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of the Trials together, their relationship shifts from rivalry to something far more complex, as the tension between them evolves into a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic, which is something that fans of this trope will devour.

The book is filled with intricate plots, fierce competition, and unexpected alliances, making for a fast-paced, immersive read. The romantic tension between Àn’yīng and Yù’chén is delicious, full of suspense and emotional depth. With stunning world-building and a darkly opulent atmosphere, Zhao has created a world that is as dangerous as it is captivating.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom promises to be a thrilling start to a duology, and with its perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and high stakes, it is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next book. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with strong, complex characters and a slow-burn romance, this is one to add to your list. I can't wait to see how this story unfolds!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

If you're in for some c-drama reading with gods and monsters and all the feels, this book is definitely for you. It delivers with a beautiful storyline full of tension, twists and turns and a female main character who has got to find her way between light & dark and learning to trust her heart more than what she has been told so far & society dictates.

I loved the beautifully created world with all its inhabitants and its lush, sumptuous landscapes, the discrepancy between the human world and the one the immortals have retreated into.

On this background, An'ying's story unfolds with her father, her mother and her sister and the truths she uncovers on her journeying to claim the pearl that she hopes will restore her mother back to health.

By the end of the book the story is not over yet, so cannot wait to see what happens on the quest she is on, with higher stakes and more parties involved and discovering more of this world she lives in.

This review refers to the eARC I received from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the arc!

🌟✨/5

Falling prey to my urge to read a mythology inspired book, I prepared myself to read about a stabby heroine with an annoying attitude for the 986424577th time. This book was, to put it very lightly, a mess. It seems like authors these days build books around the same old tropes instead of inserting tropes only when necessary.

The plot of 'The Scorpion and the Night Blossom' was often too similiar to 'The Serpent and the Wings of Night'. Coming from me, that's not a compliment because I hated that book. The trials were terrible in their execution and the pacing was completely off kilter. It took almost 40% of the book to reach the place where the trials were taking place. The trials themselves could not make me feel the gravity of the situation. Watching Àn'yīng-who's supposedly trained so hard and become self reliant, oh-so-strong and not at all a damsel in distess-being saved by someone else whenever she walked into danger was extremely frustrating. This girl did not do a single thing by herself.

I usually lower my expectations when it comes to romantasy. As expected, watching paint dry was more interesting than the 'romamce'. The reason why I hate most of the popular romantasy novels is that the authors are always in a rush to introduce the 'romamtic'/spicy scenes. Forcing instalust among the MCs and creating a rift between them at the end of the book is a formula that has been used by almost every single romantasy author ever. This also leads to a sequel that is even worse than its predecessor. Yú'chèn is your typical love interest devoid of an actual personality. Also, the MMCs calling FMCs 'little (insert animal name)' is not romantic at all. The make things worse, there may or may not be a love triangle involved.

This book is 400 pages long an yet so much of the time was wasted on unnecessary dialogue that I couldn't tell you anything about the world for the life of me. A friend group was introduced for the sake of stereotypes which was later forgotten about. Having read The Serpent and the Wings of Night, I guessed the plot twist way too early. Guessing a plot twist is definitely not a bad thing, but having it play out exactly as you imagined it rains on the parade.

Overall, I was sorely disappointed by this book. I was looking forward to it, having previously enjoyed AWZ's 'Song of Silver, Flame Like Night'. I'd recommend this for readers looking for quick reads that do not require them to use their brains and where the pages fly past easily. I will not be reading the sequel.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This is my third book by Amélie - I've not read her first trilogy, but I did read her duology, and that one has a perfect ending - the second book is a big improvement compared to the first one. *Little Scorpion's* book on the other hand? It was really good! Not perfect - a bit too cliche sometimes, sometimes a bit slow, with underdeveloped side characters, but the idea was there, satisfying main cast, and a great set up for the next installment!
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<b>"Why is it in our natures to want that which we cannot have?"</b>
As mentioned before - although this book tries to keep you in the dark when it comes to all the mysteries to uncover, they're pretty obvious from the start. But at least it gives u a heads-up if you get lost in any of the subplots. I mean there aren't many, but still, they felt a teeny tiny bit undercooked compared to the main plot. The MC was a bit naive, considering her 'warrior' nature, but I guess desperation was the biggest factor here. And because of all the tropes I'm kinda hesitant about the most likely upcoming turn in the next book, but maybe I'll surprise myself with not so cliche ending, we'll see, as I said *Song of the Last Kingdom's* was a chef's kiss, so I will still keep my hopes up for the ending I'd prefer.

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<b>"I know how it feels to be hunted; I know how it feels to be prey. And I don't want you to have to go through that."</b>
Most of this book took place within the Temple where the trials are happening, so I'm not that attached to it with the usual 'switch of scenery' for the sequel, which I guess it's a good thing? TBH all of that gave me a bit of the vibe of TelemachusXAthena vibes which is kinda cool - that's literally how I'd sum up this mashup of tropes - some old ones, some new ones, making it a delightful mix which felt quite fresh. Thumbs up with MC not throwing tantrums against her fate like most of them do - at least, for now.

<img src="https://klling.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ashes-of-love-war.gif" width="auto" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>"But meeting the right person at the wrong time, the right love in the wrong life, is a tragedy written from the start."</b>
Overall, I'm delightfully surprised that this author keeps improving with each next book, and as this one felt a better entry to the series than song of silver... but not as satisfying as the sequel there I feel like it's simply as good in fact, only doesn't feel as developed as we're just meeting all the characters. The conflict is set up, the grave mistakes were made, allies turned into enemies, just the right shit is going to doom everyone in book 2 and I'm here for it! Solid 4.25 stars, expecting bigger greatness from the sequel~

PS. Yet another Ashes of Love (with some tropes from Who Rules the World) drama-like I approve, Amélie is just the best in book-ifying my fav dramas, starting with Alchemy of Souls for Song of the Last Kingdom ^^

In The Scorpion and the Night Blossom Zhao weaves a tale of courage and patriotism but it is also a commentary on assumptions we make and the stories we tell ourselves about others. I love those themes as explored in the storyline.

The pacing is fantastic with lots of high-tension action from the very first chapter and I found myself reading it at breakneck speed to keep up with the plot.

The characters! I love Yu'chen and An'ying as much as I loved Zen and Lan as a pair. Their attraction, their growth, their tragedies, and impossible choices that they are forced to make, are all attributes I loved about them. Although I am a little bit biased towards Yu'chen because he is so layered and fascinating.

There are a couple of plot points I could predict but that didn't take anything away from the enjoyment of the book. There is a lot packed in the first book and now I have to patiently and painfully wait for the next book.

I love a love that cannot be. The push-pull between the OTP in this book is epic. The emotional punch this book packs is no joke and it made me shed a tear, so obviously it's a five star read for me.

I highly recommend if you enjoy Asian-inspired fantasy, Xianxia C-dramas and/or high fantasy with magical world building.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the ARC

What I immediately noticed with The Scorpion and the Night Blossom was the beautiful writing. It was lush and descriptive. The prose flowed easily and was a delight to read. The romance was influenced by the MCs secrets and was back and forth, will they or won't they. As for the characters, I really liked them. They were strong in their own way and the author did a good job rounding them out. The worldbuilding was good as well and I loved the Chinese mythology influence. The plot I felt dragged a bit. There was some slow parts, but otherwise it was ok.

I love Asian fantasy, the world, the characters, the legends and in general, everything involved in her writing fascinates me.

Asian folklore is always interesting, Amelie's pen has left me in love with it and wanting to read more and more of it.

The writing is so beautiful and descriptive, we find ourselves in a world of Three Kingdoms where our protagonist joins a dangerous and deadly competition to get one of the immortality pills to cure her mother whose soul has been half devoured by a demon and also take care of her little sister.

Guys, the spiky feel of the whole story has been phenomenal, I love it when stories manage to make me feel inside them and that I'm part of the cast of characters (honestly I'd be among the first to perish, but I still LOVE it).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao is the first book in The Three Realms Series. This is Àn’yīng and Yù‘chén‘s story.
 
And let me tell you I’m obsessed with this romantasy. It’s set in a world that was invaded by mó aka demons and the protagonist Àn’yīng fights them and she’s trying to save her mother who is very ill. The heroine was stabby, fearless, badass and just overall absolutely amazing. I loved her spirit and willpower and I wish I had a bit more of that.
 
One day she comes across Yù‘chén who is half mortal and half mó which means he is something unique but rather seen as an abomination. Àn’yīng hates all demons, so naturally she also hates Yù‘chén. But is so charming and confident and my favorite part was how he calls her little scorpion, and I was swooning each time.
 
I loved how they started an unlikely alliance, and they worked together so well. Àn’yīng also enters the deadly Immortality Trials and this might be her only chance to save her mother and she’s working extra hard. This was so gripping, and this book just sucked me in and I read it in one sitting. The combination of a thrilling plot, amazing characters and a dash of romance was just absolute perfection.
 
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a new favorite fantasy read and I’m completely in love with this book and already beyond excited for the next book. 5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

Dark, immersive, and brimming with courtly intrigue, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a thrilling fantasy that weaves betrayal, power, and slow-burning romance into a mesmerising tale. Set in a richly crafted world inspired by imperial China, the story follows a cunning assassin navigating the treacherous halls of the royal court, where every alliance is fragile, and danger lurks behind every whispered word.

Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing is lush and atmospheric, pulling readers into a world of secrets and shifting loyalties, with the addition of deadly trials, celestial aesthetics, and C-drama vibes. A blend of action, deception, and morally complex characters makes The Scorpion and the Night Blossom an unforgettable read for fans of dark, character-driven fantasy.

Highly enjoyed and I would recommend to everyone who loves a tantalizingly slow-burn, crackling with tension!

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a thrilling new fantasy novel by the author of the Blood Heir and Song of the Last Kingdom series’. In this new duology, An ying has to battle demons and survive a deadly competition to save her mother’s soul. It is a book filled with action, romance and mythology.

Strangely enough I have read at least two other Chinese mythology inspired books about deadly trials. But whilst this is not a new concept, I do think that Amelie Wen Zhao manages to create a unique world and use these tropes in her own way. I particularly liked the focus on celestial imagery and scenery. The descriptions of clouds and mountains, cherry blossoms and lotus ponds were beautiful. Even though this is a dangerous and brutal world, it’s hard not to be in awe of it.

I also appreciate that we have a flawed protagonist. An ying has been through terrible trauma and lost most of her family to demons. This, understandably, makes her prejudiced against them and anyone associated with them. This becomes complicated later on in the book when certain secrets are revealed, but I do appreciate that An ying has to work on herself throughout the novel.

Whilst the trials are not my favourite part of the book, I did love the book’s focus on action and the clear way in which the stakes are constantly raised. When it comes to the finale, you can’t help but be invested in the thrilling plot. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel as invested at the beginning of the trails- but that may just be because I am familiar with the narrative formula by now. There are always a few small battles before the real game begins.

If you want a book that’s a cross between trail-based fantasy like Phantasma and The Serpent and the Wings of Night and more atmospheric, mythology based books like Six Crimson Crows and Daughter of the Moon Goddess, this is perfect for you!

I loved the concept but the pacing was a little off for me (too slow at the start and too fast during the trials)

Overall, I enjoyed the book!

As always Amèlie write in a way that is imaginative and beautiful. It was different give c-drama vibes 🥰 (it has been a while since I've found one i loved but this satisfying that itch completely) i do think that thier may be a few plot holes that need to be addressed in the future but I'm absolutely excited to see what comes next

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is the first instalment in a new romantasy duology. As someone who doesn’t typically read romantasy, I was curious to give it a try. The premise sounded promising—immortal trials, an impending war, powerful main characters, a Chinese mythology-inspired world, high stakes—what’s not to like?

Well, as it turns out, quite a lot.

This book ended up being a huge disappointment and, frankly, rather messy.

For starters, the world-building was severely underdeveloped. The author provided little detail on how the magic system worked, how the kingdoms were structured, or what the hierarchy of said kingdoms entailed. Without a strong foundation, the setting felt vague, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story—I had to take things at face value rather than truly understand the world.

Then there’s the main character, Àn’yīng. At first, she seems strong, both emotionally and physically, and has solid fighting skills. But as soon as she leaves home and embarks on her journey (especially after meeting the first love interest), she quickly loses confidence, constantly comparing her skills to others who have had more training in the art of practitioning. We’re told she’s self-taught in magic and very strong, but that never really comes across. Instead, she seems unprepared, constantly struggling, and largely dependent on others to help her succeed. She only survives because everyone around her keeps stepping in to save her. Beyond that, she’s not particularly likeable—I honestly found her quite annoying.

Her dynamic with one of the love interests, Yù’chén, was another weak point. She’s outright awful to him, switching between flirting and hostility so rapidly it's hard to keep up. I just couldn’t understand why he cared for her or kept helping her when she constantly treated him with disdain, hate, and judgment. It didn't make sense to me, and I couldn't see why he liked her or why we were supposed to root for them as a couple. On top of that, the excessive use of a cringeworthy pet name made it feel forced, as if the book was desperate to justify its own title. For a book marketed as adult, it read very much like YA.

In fact, this was an issue with all of the relationships in the book—they felt surface-level. Even the friendship group Àn’yīng forms ended up feeling shallow and underdeveloped, yet we’re supposed to believe they forged a deep connection. Because of this, when certain tragic moments occurred, they simply lacked emotional impact. I hadn’t connected with any of the characters (besides Yù’chén), so I simply didn’t care.

The pacing was also uneven. The book started off slow, then picked up with a flurry of action, but it never quite found the right rhythm. For a story centred around trials, there were surprisingly very few of them. The ones that did exist either dragged on so long they lost their tension or were rushed through just to hit the next plot point. I also never really felt like Àn’yīng earned her victories—she either had them handed to her or relied on others for help, often without much gratitude, as I have already mentioned.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. And while I’m mildly curious about how the story continues, I’m not sure if I’ll be picking up the sequel.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is out on the 27th of February in the UK, and on the 4th of March in the US.

As I turned the pages of "The Scorpion and the Night Blossom," I found myself completely immersed in a world that felt both enchanting and foreign, yet oddly familiar. This book, my first taste of Chinese lore, was nothing short of a revelation. Reading "The Scorpion and the Night Blossom" was a magical journey that awakened my senses and broadened my horizons. The combination of lush prose, engaging characters, and intricate world-building made it the perfect introduction to Chinese lore. This novel not only entertained me but also inspired a deeper interest in exploring the rich tapestry of stories and traditions that Chinese culture has to offer. I look forward to diving into more tales that capture the beauty and complexity of this fascinating world as the trilogy continues
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Voyager UK and Amélie Wen Zhao for the advanced reader copy in return for my honest review

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom may not reinvent the deadly trials romantasy wheel, but it does manage to carve out its own space with rich Chinese-inspired folklore and mythology, dark, angsty, stabby vibes and opulent visuals. Think a sea of clouds, towering mountain pillars carved by wind and water, celestial rivers, shadow cranes, cherry blossoms and lotus ponds in the sky. It’s really quite grandiose. For those who carry a deep and abiding love for dragons, you might just find yourself fed.

Similarly, if you've read The Serpent and the Wings of Night, you’ll feel right at home. The titles are practically cousins, and the structure is familiar: brutal trials, a love interest where I couldn’t tell if they were enemies, rivals or allies, and a heroine with a chip on her shoulder. Even a similar nickname. "Little Serpent/Scorpion."

And listen, I’m not mad about it. Familiarity isn’t a flaw when it’s done well. But I was hoping for a bit more oomph in execution.

Consider this your mild spoiler warning. I have thoughts and they verge on spoilery.
Firstly, the love interest shines in one way and is murky in another. There’s solid tension here, the kind where she doesn’t know if she wants to kiss him or kill him and with touch-her-and-die energy. And I was getting “I can show you the world” Aladdin-Jasmine parallels. But then we hit the real heart of the book, prejudice and bigotry.

Àn’yīng’s hatred of demons is rooted in personal trauma, and I get it. She watched a demon slaughter her father and devour her mother’s soul, leaving her catatonic. But her vitriol towards her half-demon half-human ally felt uncomfortable and excessive. There were moments I physically recoiled from her words and actions towards Yù’chén, her MMC ally-rival. And sure, her arc is about confronting her bigotry and unlearning it, but the journey was rough.

Secondly, the trials. I wanted to see Àn’yīng outthink, outfight, and outmanoeuvre her opponents, but too often, the resolution came from external forces and men saving her. The Immortality Trials should have been a highlight, but often felt anticlimactic, mostly because Àn’yīng rarely got to truly own her victories. I love a strong heroine, but I also love one who actually gets to be strong rather than we just get told she is.

That said, somewhere around the 80% mark, Amélie Wen Zhao elevated the game. Suddenly, I found myself fully invested in the twists and reveals of the final act. Stakes that previously felt manageable suddenly felt monumental. The story stopped coasting on a formula and started twisting plot in ways that felt genuinely thrilling. Themes of fate and free will, light and darkness, became sharper, more urgent.

By the end, I was completely 100% emotionally invested. If only that momentum had been there all along. The foundation has been laid for an epic conclusion for the next book in the duology. I need answers.

This landed between a 3 to a 4.5 stars, depending on which section of the book I was reading. Still, even with its bumps, I had a damn good time. Highly recommend for people who like stabby romantasy with deadly trials, family secrets, celestial aesthetics and C-drama.

A huge thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!