Thank you Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set against the backdrop of a war against demons who have destroyed the mortal realm, Àn’yīng vows to travel to the immortal realm to compete in the Immortality Trials. There she aims to win the pill of immortal life and save her mother. A rival contestant is powerful, beautiful and intriguing. Can Àn’yīng keep her focus and save her family?
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom has everything I could hope for in a romantasy. Trials, a delightful enemies to lovers, beautiful friendships, intricate and unique world building and magic system, and twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I read the whole book in 4 hours, I just couldn’t put it down.

Review posted to TikTok (@bec.lf), January 8th 2025

There's so much to love in this book, I got completely captivated by it and devoured most of it in one day. The writing is lush and I loved Àn'yīng's character. She was fiery and strong in her own right but also deep down just a girl who wanted to save her Mum. Her journey into the Immortal Realm and the brutality of the trials and the other competitors brought a lot of action and intensity to the story, and absolutely kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. The last quarter of the book in particular was an absolute rollercoaster that I'm just glad I was tall enough to ride!

There were a few aspects that I would have loved to have spent more time on. The romance was full of chemistry but there wasn't enough time spent developing that spark into a deeper feeling, which I found frustrating once the plot twists started twisting. I don't mind some insta-lust but I am less of a fan of insta-love. Likewise the book raised some interesting questions about what makes a monster, and I was hoping it would delve deeper into the role of the immortals and their culpability in choosing to stay out of the conflict, however I'm hoping book two will get into this a bit more, and we'll get to see more characters who are demons and explore some nuance there as well. I absolutely can't wait for book two, either way!

i dnf'ed this book. i tried finishing it on three different occasions, and couldn't, unfortunately.

while this book was not for me, the audience for it is out there. i am someone who needs the romance in books to be slow; and this was not that. this felt very insta-lovey, and i really missed the slow burn in it. and considering the romance is a big part of the story, i couldn't really look past that. i also had some issues with the characters that i can't quite put into words.
i might give this book another shot in the future when i am personally in a better headspace, because i feel like i could like this better than i did. i will update this review accordingly.

DNF @ 20%

maybe if i hadnt just read an awful book where i shouldve DNF-ed but instead pushed through until the end (and suffered), i would've read more of this to give it another chance but i truly cant do it😭 i'm not invested enough at this point, but also i feel like the characters already falling in love with each other was the biggest thing that made me ???? like you JUST met hello???🤨 but again, maybe im being too harsh after reading a pretty bland romance where it was insta-lust... either way i don't know if i'll come back to this (perhaps if there's a quote/scene i see online that hooks me?).

i will say the writing was gorgeous and i found the lore very interesting, unfortunately it just wasn't enough for me to want to continue. this is a definitely a case of a book being not for me during my current mood.

(also im sad because a certain book box had the most gorgeous artists lined up for this book😭 why does this always happen to me so often)


Thank you HarperVoyager for gifting me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"You have poisoned me, little Scorpion, and I would gladly let you do it over and over and over again"

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom was both beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time.
This was so beautifully written, and the story was so addictive that I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next. And now that I finished it, I need the next book so badly.
I loved it so much, I just hugged it afterwards.

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

"This is for the cdrama girlies."
That's me. I have become a cdrama girly.
I have also read up about Xianxia (to sum up stories where the MC strives to seek immortality) and I want more of this.

This story is quite complex without overwhelming the reader, and it's more dark and adult than the author's previous dilogy.
There are trials - a trope which I've grown a bit tired of - that are quite intense. There's a clear motive for the FMC, and an interesting romance blossoming.
What I liked most about it though is the dive into the question of "What is a monster? What makes a human?"

What I didn't like so much is that the author - as in her previous series - writes much better male characters than female protagonists. There's a chance you will end up annoyed with the FMC and in love with the MMC. This makes me a bit sad, because I want to root for the FMC as well.

Overall I felt well entertained with some ups and downs. Cdrama for the win!

4/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins for the eARC!

#TheScorpionAndTheNightBlossom #Netgalley #Bookstagram

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions and morally grey vibes I couldn’t get enough of. 🦂✨ Eternal night, ravenous demons, betrayals left and right—this story ate and left no crumbs. Let’s dive in because I have THOUGHTS.

🦂Àn’yīng: The Little Scorpion Who Could:
My girl carried this book on her back. She’s fierce but flawed, desperate to save her mum, and constantly struggling with her own morals. The betrayals she faced? 🫠 My heart HURT for her. Every step of the Immortality Trials felt like watching her get broken down and rebuilt, and I loved her resilience.

🔥Yù'Chén: Dangerously Hot™:
Can we talk about this morally grey masterpiece of a love interest?! I spent the entire book debating if I should trust him or not. Spoiler: I didn’t care because he’s the ultimate "I’m toxic but also protective" type, and I was HERE for it. That quote: "You have poisoned me, little scorpion, and I would gladly let you do it over and over and over again"??? Sir, take my soul. 🫶

💔 The Romance:
The tension between Àn’yīng and Yù'Chén was immaculate. Every stolen glance, every quiet moment ("If you don't leave now, I don't know that I have it in me to let you go again.") made me swoon. And that ending? "Maybe, I could have loved him without knowing it would burn down the world." I’M UNWELL. 😭

The Crew: Misfit Vibes Only:
Li'Ling, Tán'mù, and Fán'xuān were the squad I didn’t know I needed. 🛡️ They brought levity and loyalty to a world full of darkness. Watching them form their own little found family amidst the chaos was so satisfying.

Villains That Slay (Literally):
Sansiran and Yán'lù? TERRIFYING. 😱 Effective villains through and through, their motivations and actions kept me on edge. I love a good villain you hate but also respect.

Plot Twists and Trials:
Okay, I did see Hào'yáng's big reveal coming, but some of the deeper twists about his past? Total curveballs. ⚡️ The trials themselves were brutal and high-stakes, and every moment felt like survival hung by a thread.

Quotes That Live Rent-Free in My Head:
Zhao’s writing is chef’s kiss. 🌌 Some standout lines:

"Then I want you to ruin me."🫠 YES, RUIN HER, YÙ'CHÉN.

"I have the feeling I am falling into an endless night of stars with him holding me." 🖤

"Perhaps it is those who have experienced darkness who can shine brightest."🕯️ This one HIT.

💔 “Maybe under different circumstances, in a different lifetime, the stars would have been kinder. Maybe, I could have loved him without knowing it would burn down the world.”

🖤 “You have poisoned me, little scorpion, and I would gladly let you do it over and over and over again.”

✨ "Perhaps it is those who have experienced darkness who can shine brightest."

Why 4 Stars?:
While I loved the vibes and the slow-burn tension, a few plot points dragged, and some elements felt predictable. That said, the emotional impact and the setup for the next book? A+.

Final Thoughts:
If you love cut-throat competitions, morally grey love interests, and vibes that’ll wreck your soul, pick this one up ASAP. Àn’yīng and Yù'Chén have poisoned me, and I’m not even mad about it. 🦂🖤🌸

(Side note: Yù'Chén and Hào'yáng give major Grim and Oro vibes (Alex Aster, I see you 👀), and, in case you can't tell from this review, I'm a Grim girlie through and through, so I’m dying to see how their relationships evolve in the sequel. )

Was really looking forward to reading this but unfortunately my copy of the arc kept missing lines out and so I only read a few chapters such a shame as the whole setting of the book and what I DID read was incredible. Cannot wait to read this properly when I get a physical copy

In a world plagued by the mó – soul-devouring demons – Àn’yīng enters the perilous Immortality Trials to win a pill of eternal life and save her dying mother. But survival demands more than bravery; she'll face lethal challenges and ruthless rivals.

I literally flew through this book without being able to come up for breath. I was HOOKED right from the beginning, and I just KNEW I would love it as soon as I had read the first sentence. I always hear people talk about the magic of an amazing first sentence in a book, but this was the first time I had to reread one just to savor its brilliance.
The story dives right into the action, it is fast-paced, and the picture drawn by the writing is beautiful and magical. While the fast pace kept me engaged, it occasionally felt too rushed, leaving little time to process key events or fully immerse in the emotional weight of certain moments. Nonetheless, I loved the vivid storytelling and the images it conjured. The magical system, inspired by Chinese mythology, felt fresh and immersive, and the vibes were top-tier.

I adored the dialogues between Àn’yīng and Yu’Chen—I often reread them because they made me feel giddy with happiness. They were the perfect blend of emotional, playful, and witty.
Yu’Chen was a total delight from the moment he stepped onto the stage, and nothing and no one could ever make me hate him.

Overall, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a thrilling, fast-paced read with vivid storytelling, a magical world steeped in Chinese mythology, and a romance that will melt your heart. If you enjoy epic trials, lush writing, and rivals-to-lovers tropes, this book is not to be missed.

Big thanks to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review posted on 11th January, 2025;
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7180668375)
TheStoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/7f0c54c2-330c-4dd9-9efb-a036f5e0c99a

4.25 stars!
This is my first Amélie Wen Zhao book, and I was very impressed. This is the first book in the “the three realms duology”. The story follows Àn’yīng, a skilled fighter with her crescent blades and trained ancient art decides to enter the Immortality Trials, so she can secure the pill of eternal life to saver her dying mother. Along way finding a charming rival contestant, Yù’chén with a secretive past.

I enjoyed several aspects of this book, such as the fast pacing and the plot that grips you in instantly so you can’t put it down, but also the combination of the world building and unique magic system with Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing is so beautifully well done.

Be prepared for a lovable and fierce main character, a story with a few plot twists and a thrilling romance.

I can’t wait to see where this story goes!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/HarperFiction for providing me with this free digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

We follow Àn’yīng’s journey from the Kingdom of Rivers which has been ravaged by demons for the past 9 years - terrifying creatures from the Kingdom of Night, who take beautiful, ethereal human forms to lure in their prey, before devouring their souls.
Àn’yīng has already lost her father, her mother is a shell of her former self, and she is desperate to protect her younger sister, so she sets out to the Kingdom of Sky to take part in the immortality trials, and hopefully bring home a pill of eternal life (which is the only thing that can save her mother).
She hopes that she will develop as a magic practitioner along the way, so that she can return to her homeland better equipped to protect those she loves, but all is not what it seems… and neither are the people she meets along the way.
The author’s descriptive prose was so stunning, I could almost smell the flora, and the world she created was truly magical, despite the impact from the war.
I loved the character building, and following Àn’yīng’s progression within the immortal realm - of course there’s a morally grey MMC to draw you in, AND a heroic golden boy.

I loved the beautiful prose and language in the storytelling. It made for stunning visuals and good world building. The plot was interesting and I was fascinated by the magic system and lore throughout. I have sent additional feedback to the publisher about my rating.

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