An excellent introduction to this world with nuanced but endearing characters and intriguing world building and plot reveals

A massive thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte for allowing me to read and review this title.

This was such a fun and gripping read, with everything I love in a romantasy: a magic school setting, dangerous trials, high-stakes secrets, and a romance that you know is going to ruin you a little (in the best way). I've enjoyed Amélie Wen Zhao's previous work, so I had high expectations going in—and this book absolutely delivered.

The story follows Anying, a fierce and determined girl who's willing to risk everything to win a pill of immortality and save her mother. From the moment she arrives at the celestial academy, it’s clear that this won’t be a simple path. The trials are brutal, the magic is unpredictable, and demons are creeping ever closer to their world. But what really kept me glued to the page was the mystery surrounding the people around her—especially Yù’chén. He’s the type of character who keeps you guessing, but also keeps showing up exactly when it matters. Their connection was evident from the start, and although the love triangle angle wasn’t my favourite thing, I was rooting for them the whole way through.

The pacing is fast—at times it felt like I blinked and fifty pages had flown by. But Zhao still manages to weave in stunning imagery and rich world-building, with just enough poetic detail to feel immersive without slowing things down. I also really appreciated how distinct and memorable the characters were, especially the sibling bond between Anying and Meizi, which added some emotional weight in the quieter moments.

If I had one wish, it would’ve been for a little more time with the side characters and the trials themselves. I would have gladly read a longer book if it meant more development there. That said, I tore through this one and finished it in a single weekend—I was completely hooked.

The ending definitely left me needing answers (and maybe shouting at a character or two), but in a way that makes me excited to see where the second book takes us. Fingers crossed for a satisfying conclusion for these characters I’ve come to love—especially my favourites, who absolutely deserve a happy ending.

I can’t wait for the next book in this duology!

Perfect for fans of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, we follow Àn’yīng competing in trials to help save her mother with the pill of immortality. The ending was great and the last 20% or so of the book was full of action and intrigue which has me excited for the sequel!

I really hope we see more of Àn’yīng being capable as it did seem like she had to rely on others quite frequently during the trials, despite our introduction to her being her single-handedly slaying a monster. When we did see Àn’yīng's fighting style with her crescent blades it was really great to picture and the combat was really fluid to read.


The scenery was fantastic and the differing locations across different realms were striking. I'm also interested to see how the romances develop across the main characters in the next entry after that ending. I have high hopes for the sequel and that it can build on the foundations laid down in this one.

Thanks to Netgalley & Harpercollins for this arc.

Right from the start we are brought straight into the story with action and tragedy.

The tension between the fmc and mmc was so good I was hooked!

I wanted more of the trials to be solved from Àn Ying rather than outside sources because I know from the start of the book that she’s this fierce, independent and intelligent warrior

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!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of this book.

This book promised C-drama fantasy and boy did it deliver! The twists in this book will keep you on your toes, and certainly provides for an interesting sequel. The world-building in this novel was also fantastic, with some gorgeous as well as dark imagery that amplified the story.
I did however crave a little more chemistry between the characters, at times feeling as though those connections are forced, and occasionally I wanted more from the FMC in times of crisis.

This wasn't the most amazing book ever, the main characters were cliched and there was some obvious plot twists, such as the identity of Àn’yīng's jade pendant guardian. However, it was still a fun and easy read.

I loved the dark and alluring atmosphere, and the vampire like creatures called mó. I'm not a fan of trails in books as I usually find them boring, but as this read quite fast I didn't mind. I will say that I wasn't attached to the the main characters due to them being your stereotypical romantasy archetypes. Which meant I wasn't invested in their romance, despite some great moments of tension. Something that annoyed me was how the love interest, Yù’chén, kept saying Àn’yīng's name at the beginning or end of every sentence addressed to her.

While I am somewhat curious to see how the story continues and concludes, I doubt I will be picking up the sequel.

I didn’t get very far into this book before I realised I do not enjoy the writing/age level. I can recognise it is well written and the plot does have some intrigue but much of how it is set up just isn’t for my age, which is fine. I am sure others will love it.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom follows Àn’yīng, a mortal who enters the dangerous Immortality Trials. The prize for completing them is eternal life, which can heal her dying mother. However, when a handsome and powerful rival contestant promises protection, Àn’yīng will need to figure out if she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for.

We are dropped straight into this story with very little world-building. After finishing this book I’m still unsure of how the realms, kingdoms, hierarchy and magic system work. I also found the descriptions of the mythical creatures lacking - I could not picture them clearly at all.

The writing style was fine, but felt quite simplistic and a little stiff. While the pacing was fairly fast, the long, dense paragraphs without much dialogue made this book feel much longer than it was. I was really looking forward to the trials aspect of this book, but they were a minor part of the story, lacked any kind of stakes, and I found them really boring.

As for the characters, I could not stand the FMC. She was absolutely awful to everyone, and I hated her prejudice towards characters who had done nothing but help her, just because they were different to her. From the first chapter, we are told that she is a strong, skilled fighter who can hold her own. However, all she does in this book is get rescued by two hot men. It was contradictory and boring.

The MMC had no personality, except for being dangerous and hot. The chemistry between them both was non-existent, and the romance felt both insta-lusty and insta-lovey. The side characters lacked depth, and a friendship group was introduced when it was relevant to the plot, and then swiftly forgotten.

The plot was predictable, and I guessed most of the twists, which made the ending feel anticlimactic. Unfortunately, this book was just not for me, and I won’t be picking up the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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

Rare are those who appreciate the beauty in darkness.”

“I want to know you. Who you are.”

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.

Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.

Amelie builds a world that is rich in legend, in imagery, in the hope that she weaves into Àn’yīng’s desperation. She enters a world where every turn is fraught with danger and she has to question the motives of every person she meets. Is what she has been taught the truth? Or can those who have always been painted as evil, be kind even a friend? Yù’chén is a gorgeous, complicated male who is the definition of morally grey. Is he a product of his heritage or are the moments of kindness, real? I find this to be a trademark of excellent characterization when you are left guessing. I love the relationship between Àn’yīng and Mei’zi, their unconditional love and concern for each other is a thing of beauty.

When it quickly becomes apparent that there are larger stakes at play, Àn’yīng is forced to decide what she is willing to risk. Every page pulls you deeper into a beautiful world, her wordplay an utter delight, along a terrifying journey of loss, self-discovery, of delight, and utter devastation. A story that stays with you long after you have closed the book and leaves you wondering what the road ahead has in store for Àn’yīng.

This is the first book that I have read by @ameliewenzhao and I look forward to picking up her backlist.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom blends Chinese folklore and strong characters in my second book by Amelie Wen Zhao. I liked the world building and plot which consisted of a high-stakes trial which kept me up wondering what was going to happen next. The inclusion of caregivers and caregiving in the beginning of the book was well-researched and written. I also felt for Ying who was now the sole breadwinner for her and her mother.

The romance was fantastic and I can't wait to read more of the author's work. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!

This is one I would love to see as a movie adaptation! I couldn't wait to read this story since Amelie shared a little teaser last year and it was worth the wait. The world building was immersive from the very first page and I loved seeing the Kindom of Rivers and Kingdom of Sky from Àn’yīng's POV.

After a visit from a demon a decade ago devastates her family, Àn’yīng is finally given the opportunity to compete in the Trials Of Immortality so she can save her mother's soul. The journey to reach the Kingdom of Sky, where the trials are being held, is riddled with challenges and Àn’yīng meets many interesting characters on the way, particularly a saviour in the guise of a monster (or is it a monster in the guise of a saviour?)

The storyline was riveting, and I really loved all the relationships - especially Àn’yīng and her sister and mother, and with the romantic interests, but I wish Àn’yīng was stronger and some confusing behaviour on her part which made the story slightly predictable but, if you are a romantasy fan (like me) which is inspired/a fan of C-Drama/ lore, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one! The story personally picked up for me in the climax and the sequel holds alot of promise so I am excited to see where we will go next with this.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review!

Actual Rating: 3.5⭐

I’m a sucker for romantasy stories with deadly trials, so when I came across this book, I grabbed it without hesitation!

The world-building is immersive and easy to grasp, hooking me right from the start.
While the plot shared some similarities with another book I’ve read, it kept my interest enough to see the story through to the end.

The story dives straight into the journey of Àn’yīng, our MC, as she heads to the Temple of Dawn to compete in the Immortality Trials and secure the pill of eternal life to save her ailing mother.

I really admired Àn’yīng at the beginning. Her deep love for her family drives her to face dangerous challenges, demonstrating her courage and determination. With the training she received from her father, there’s a high chance she might succeed.
However, during the trials, this badass side of Àn’yīng felt underrepresented, especially after she encounters the love interests.
I hope the next book gives her more opportunities to shine and showcase her strengths—particularly her skills with blades.

Now, onto the romance.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a love triangle.
I was especially drawn to the tension between Àn’yīng and Yù’chén during the trials. Their love-hate relationship stood out and kept me guessing whether they would finally give in to their feelings.
As for the other love interest, the chemistry felt a bit flat, but after that jaw-dropping ending, I’m curious to see how the romance will evolve in the sequel.

The last few chapters ramped up the intensity, revealing shocking secrets and delivering a delicious twist that completely took me by surprise.
That cliffhanger ending left me desperate to dive into the sequel—I need to know what happens next!

In summary, this book is a good start to a promising romantasy duology.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found it even more captivating than the author’s previous series.
I’m eagerly anticipating the sequel to see what fate holds for Anying…

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: violence, gore, death, blood, war, mild romantic content and slavery

I really, really enjoyed this book. For any of you who’ve been reading my reviews for a while, you may know that I’ve had a long run of being left unsatisfied by Amélie Wen Zhao’s books. For no reason I could really put my fingers on. But this one, I didn’t have that. This one I didn’t just like, I loved.

Amélie Wen Zhao’s worlds are always gorgeously described. I wanted to live in the Immortal Kingdom so badly. The ravaged nature of her hometown in parallel with this was a stark contrast. You could easily see the devastation the Mó have reaped on the mortal kingdoms. I found it really effective.

I loved Àn’yīng’s character so much. The determination of her. The love for her sister and her lover. The constant refusal to be prey even though the world is trying to force her into that role. She is probably gonna go down as one of my favourite characters of all time.

Though I feel like, being familiar with other books this author has written, I should have guessed a couple of the plot twists, this book left me guessing right until the end. Highly recommend.

DNF @ Ch 5, 17%

I wanted to love this book but sadly it just never managed to capture me, I was intrigued by the concept and initial introductions were fascinating. However the writing style wasn't for me and felt long... being told a lot of information and not seeing on page along with repetition.

Anyway the world building is stunning, truly comes to life on the page and I enjoyed the details. Sewing, weapons, pendent and how all were important in some way. The importance of family and intriguing revelations as leading into the story.

Yu'chen & Àn’yīng’s first meeting was entertaining, I adore action scenes and the sass between them was fun. Despite the sadness lingering and the cruelty of others heading to the trials, the deaths & mo lurking in the shadows.

Anyway I just didn't feel any desire to pick the book up again and every time I attempt I'm simply bored, it's not gripping me sadly... I think this was mentioned to be Adult as well, yet reads like YA style and characters.

I had a look at other reviews and looks to introduce possible Love triangle for future as well which is a hated trope of mine so I'm even less invested in continuing.

Amelie created this interesting and beautiful world that I enjoyed exploring.
A whimsical but dark story with lots of high stakes!
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down!
I thought the world building was really interesting and I enjoyed how the romance was woven into the story.

Well that was a ride. I need the sequel like yesterday. How do I even begin to coherently tell you what this is about?

When Àn’yīng was 10 years old, the Kingdom of Night (aka demons) invaded the Kingdom of Rivers (aka humans), Àn’yīng’s father was murdered and her mother was left with half a soul. Nine years later, Àn’yīng decides to enter the Immortality Trials (imagine the hunger games) for a chance at healing her mother and uncovering her father's secrets. And that's where all the fun begins.

During the first trial she meets Yù'chén (imagine Damon Salvatore), who has entered the Immortality Trials for reasons of his own and they become allies, keeping each other alive. And I completly lost it for Yù'chén. He's like a lost boy kind of character, acting all stong but just wanting to be seen and loved. I don´t care what he is or where he comes from, I care about who he is and how he treats Àn’yīng. Yes, in true Damon Salvatore fashion he also keeps information from her. Yes, the intelligent decision would be to choose the nice guy, the Stefan Salvatore guy who has been nothing but good to her. But who doesn't want -and I quote Damon- "passion, adventure and even a little danger"?

I really liked the plot, its twists and turns and I kept wanting to pick up the book and continue reading. I like he writing and the pacing of the story. I´m not even mad about the love triangle that's brewing because -and I never thought I'd say this- it makes sense.

The only reason this is not getting 5 stars is because I'm not 100% invested. I enjoyed it a lot and would pick the sequel right now if I had it but I don't feel immersed in the story, I feel like I'm watching things happen from afar instead of being there side by side with the characters. Like I'm not fully connecting with them, if that makes sense.

definitely think this is a case of this book just wasn’t for me situation, and not that it’s inherently bad or anything - just nothing memorable.

I enjoyed the writing in terms of the descriptions and the scenery , did feel like I could really imagine the scenes, however the characters were underdeveloped for me, and I found myself not caring.

I think a lot of it had to do with the author telling rather than showing on many instances, and the pacing being too fast, meaning we didn’t get to sit in some moments like I would like to.

I think this could have benefitted from being longer (slightly under 400 pages) to allow for the development I felt it was lacking.

As mentioned though I don’t think this was written poorly, just nothing new for me personally

Thank you to Amelie Wen Zhao,
HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A romantasy duology with an enemies / lovers plot? We’re not reinventing the wheel here. First person present tense can also feel a little juvenile, and the whole ‘chosen’ FMC who’s so great at fighting but actually has to keep getting saved by a man is a little jarring. The writing could get a little repetitive at times too but I think it works as a fun, easy read for fans of YA fantasy. I may pick up the second book.

I loved this book. I loved the deadly trials, the romance was romancing. Enemies to lover is always going to be a fave trope for me and I like there was a bit of a rivals to lovers aspect to the whole thing. I'm not saying this was a perfect book but I'm definitely keen on book 2 and what's going to happen to the characters further in the story.