The Night Ends With Fire

Every single character was very morally grey, they all had flaws and I love how complex they are. I feel like I could write essays about the characterisations of all the characters in this book and even the plot choices, especially from how this book ended. THAT’S HOW MUCH I WAS INVESTED WITH THIS BOOK!!!

There are so many things that I love about Meilin as a protagonist. I loved the exploration of female ambition and power and the struggles that Meilin experiences as a woman in this world of dominant men and I loved her selfishness and being unsatisfied with the cards that was dealt for her and wanted more than what that world was willing to give her. She is power hungry and fed up with living under other people’s authority and desperately wants to forge her own future on her own terms.

If you like love triangles where the endgame couple is not obvious at all then this is the book for you. Obviously though, there is a ship that I am in favour of, and I am begging for them to be endgame in the sequel because his interactions with Meilin have me involuntarily giggling like a fool and cheesing so hard. Although, I can see Meilin potentially ending up with the other character too. I would also still be very satisfied if she doesn’t end up with either to be honest.

I am immediately going to pre-order this book because this is instantly one of my top favourite reads of 2024 and I am already so excited for the sequel in this duology!

prior to reading this book, my knowledge of Mulan was limited to watching the Disney animation when I was little, so I didn't know what to expect of a Mulan retelling. I didn't expect to fall in love with this story and all its complex themes painted within.

the plot is very well developed, spanning over seven months and taking us on a long journey through two out of the three existing kingdoms. what captivated me immediately was the character of Meilin, and what made this read a 5-star read was her slow but sure evolution into a selfish, unapologetic main character. growing up in an oppressive environment, she views her ambitions as a perversion and curses being born a woman in a world that celebrates men. it was amazing to witness her evolution and inner turmoils throughout the book.

as for the other characters, I was so pleased to discover that all of them can be considered, to some extent, morally gray - none of them are "good" and each of them have their own ambitions, their own selfish reasons and deeply flawed morals. this way of portraying the characters made them feel real and made me understand their personalities better.

another aspect that I loved about this book is the corrupt nature of the magic system. here, magic acts as a means to rise above others, to instil fear and demand respect. the cost is also high and power ends up being seen as a curse rather than a blessing.

in conclusion, please pick up this book when it comes out! it is stunning, and I don't think I could ever do it justice with my review.

This book!😍 when I read the synopsis, I thought it sounded similar to the story of Mulan and the author later confirms this as a retelling. But she really makes it her own and I devoured it!

There are some similarities to the story of Mulan of course; The Dragon and Phoenix spirits, being disguised as a man in the army and the scene where she is bathing. But I feel that's really where the similarities end.

This story has flawed characters, Meilin often refers to herself as overly ambitious and greedy and this just grows throughout the book. And there's a love triangle going on also (will come back to this). I loved that none of the characters were wholly good or perfect. With Meilin, I feel her selfishness is relatable because I'm sure occasionally the majority of people at least wonders about 'what ifs' and plays out scenarios of what we could do if we had freedom of choices or more power or money.

I'm not generally a fan of love triangles but I can see why she would be attracted to both men, for different reasons. I've seen a few different opinions, but personally I prefer Lei❤

I just couldn't put this book down. It was full of action and I loved Meilin's determination and relentlessness. Her goals don't align with anyone else's, she is very strong and single-minded.

Can't wait for the sequel!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Night Ends With Fire is utterly engrossing. It's the cross between Mulan and The Poppy War I never knew I needed. I didn't want it to end. Meilin is fierce and it's her inability to accept that it's her lot in life to be a man's punching be that propels the novel forward. Like so many women today, she doesn’t wish to be held back by her sex. She wants to fight and she wants to win. She wants the glory and acknowledgement denied to her as woman and she is willing to spill blood to get it. Despite this, throughout the novel there is still a thread of naivety remains in Meilin which is ultimately her undoing so I'm excited to her evolution in the next novel as the last vestiges of her naivety disappear and how it affects her relationships with her commander Prince Sky, the cunning sea dragon spirit who wants to control her and the intriguing Prince Lei who warns her that not all is at seems.


My main criticism is that it seems slightly too derivative of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War Trilogy however the similarities didn't dampen my enjoyment in any way.

"I needed to prove that, I as a woman could be better than the rest of them. That I too could belong. That I too could be free."

This book is for all the asian girls who were told they are meant to be seen and not heard. For the ones who related to 'what was I made for'. For the archers, the mirrorballs, the masterminds, and the anti-heroes. Who lost someone special when they were young. To all those girls whose favorite disney princess is mulan and will always be better than any man. For those who'd risk anything for a second chance at life.<3

{Minor spoilers in the end}

I went into this book, expecting it to be good, but little did I know it would turn out to be my new favorite. The connection I felt with the book and characters. The way I lost myself in the world. It was an experience and I'd love to live it again. However, nothing could've prepared me for that ending or that twist...nothing.

Hai Meilin:
"I don't want to just survive. I want to be the best."

A girl with too many faces. A warrior, a fighter, and most of all a survivor. I loved her so much. I saw myself in her ambition. Her love and her trust. She was too good for the world.

All she wanted was to runaway from her horrible betrothed, only to be disappointed by more men.

She did what no feminist could ever do. I want her justice- I NEED HER JUSTICE.


Prince Liu Sky:
"If only my men riding out to war tomorrow could be half as fast and clever as you."

My insomniac little buttercup. But why? Oh why?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😭
I was screaming, crying, throwing up because of him. Smilling like a fool. Just to be betrayed with that ending. I'll always be on his team. ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

Him and Winter needed more scenes together. Him and Meilin need more scenes together. K.X Song lock your doors bsf.

Cao Ming Lei:
"You and I are the only heroes who will be remembered in this world"

You were right rina.
I hated him in the beginning. Rather... an understatement. I DESPISED HIM. But that ending damn it. He has so much potential.

A boy with a heart-wrenching background. The Fuchai in this story. (dw yall he's still breathing)
So smooth, although I hated him. But he passed with flying colors.

Sparrow and Tao:
"Ren, I'm sorry but this way we are traitors."

May they never find the Ying to their Yang. May they never find happiness. May all that is loved by them be taken away.

I won't forgive these sexist idiots. These abominations. These fools.


Sky and Meilin:
"Meilin, It is I who must ask for your forgiveness."

No because I was robbed. ROBBED I SAY. Forever and always skymeilin's no.1 stan. 😔☝️

"Sky"
"Hm?"
"Stay with me."
"Always."

This user has malfunctioned.

"I can't lose you again." BYE.

Qinglong:
"Never trust a dragon"

hahahah jokes ON ME. A disgrace in the name of mushu. Actual piece of nothing. The phoenix was better than him. He better perish in the next book. HE BETTER.

The authors note was beautiful and the quotes before the chapters were perfect.

The Ballad of Mulan and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms meet the likes of The Poppy War and Six Crimson Cranes in this first part of K.X. Song's upcoming duology: “The Night Ends with Fire” is a tale of magic, adventure, war, love, corruption, betrayal, oppression, freedom, feminism, wuxia (martial arts) - and do not forget dragons! This book really ought to spread like wildfire when it comes out because let me tell you: it is deserving of every praise it receives!

What an incredible story to read! I could not put it down. Like Meilin’s greed being the driving force behind Qinglong’s powers, my own greed to read and know more propelled me quickly through this book. The pacing was ideal with plenty of description. A few times I laughed, a few times I gasped. The world-building was excellent: K.X. Song has a way of transporting you into this world and exploring aspects of both the spirit realm and reality, as well as providing historical information about the history of the Three Kingdoms.

Also, Song very kindly provides us with a map which I always love as it helps me imagine things better!

Split into three parts, there were plenty of twists and turns: some I did not see coming, others, probably a lot of them, were predictable but enjoyable to see.

Had this been a single book, I would have rated it a 4 for the ending. Knowing that the story is to be continued, that there is a second book in the works made this even better. I do prefer being able to read a book as a standalone rather than wait for its conclusion later but I am excited to see the direction this story goes.

You can certainly see that Song has based a lot of this tale on the live-action Mulan. There are plenty of scenes that harken back to this. To name a few: our heroine knows martial arts before she even enlists, she trains at night herself away from the men, the bathing sequence, the presence of a phoenix. But there are many differences too. While I am aware some people did not finish even reading it because it felt too much like “Mulan fanfiction”, the point of a retelling is to tell a story again but it should have some unique qualities of its own. And unique qualities it did.

Song has created a whole new dynamic through the inclusion of forbidden magic and the Cardinal Spirits with their seals. Cardinal Spirits are the four spirits representing and controlling the time of day, seasons, elements and directions. These are:
• Xuanwu - north, tortoise
• Zhuque - south, phoenix - fire - gets power from vengeance
• Qinglong - east, dragon - water - gets power from greed
• Baihu - west, tiger
These are based on the mythological sacred animals of the Vietnamese culture. The two that are covered the most in this tale are Qinglong and Zhuque. Hopefully, we will get to see more of the other two and learn more about their elements and what fuels their power. It could be assumed that Xuanwu’s element is earth and Baihu’s is air. I personally like dragons and including a sea dragon in this story is everything! Again, the dragon Qinglong, is not like Disney’s Mushu in any way. Consider him less funny and more sinister and cryptic.

I really like the way Song has made these characters. Pretty much all of them are flawed, as they should be! This adds a great deal of realism, that not everything is straightforward. I love Meilin. A very well-fleshed-out character, indeed. I can see why some people would find her dull or naïve but I feel that is entirely the point. Meilin is portrayed most realistically: She is struggling as a woman in a patriarchal society who desires more than to be subservient. She has endured a lot of trauma from her childhood and adulthood, She is not perfect by any means, even after her training - even her magic is unable to help her when she wants. Essentially, everything she does, she has to work for it. I would argue it might be too repetitive in that regard. It would have been nice to see her win more victories. I did not like in the live-action Mulan that the heroine, like Song’s Meilin, already knows martial arts and I much prefer the cartoon that she learns along with everyone else and becomes very good at it.
Sky is the greenest of green flags! His temper and his prioritising of duty are his main flaws. But ultimately, he is a gentle kind person who cares very much for his people. Out of everyone, I found Lei the most fascinating. So handsome and charming yet enigmatic and indifferent toward people. He works for everyone yet works for nobody but himself. Sometimes a monster, sometimes misunderstood. Oh yes, I really like his complexity!

I am honoured to have been selected as an ARC reader for this book, and I’d like to thank K.X. Song and Netgalley for the opportunity.

I don't give many books 5 stars because I reserve it for books I think are truly phenomenal, but The Night Ends With Fire definitely deserves all the stars I can give it and more!

This is a hard hitting book about the oppression of women, mysogyny, and one girl's fight to find freedom in a man's world. Billed as a reong of Mulan, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this exceeded any expectations that I may have had.

Meilin is an excellent character who strives for what she wants: a life free from abuse at the hands of men. This makes her selfish and greedy and self-serving, but she is still kind and loyal to those around her, leaving her open for betrayal.

Both princes are beautifully written, leaving open a love triangle.

For fans of The Poppy War and She Who Became the Sun or just awesome women doing great things, this book will resonate.

Just a note to the publisher, there are several formatting errors that will need to be cleared up for readibility before final release.

Mark my words, this book is going to be your next obsession!

For me, this felt like a mix of Daughter of the Moon Goddess meets Mulan. There was so much weight to the story, even just behind Meilin’s identity.

I can’t wait for more people to read about this book and fall in love with the characters in the same way I did (even the bad ones 👀)

I’m eagerly awaiting book two!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hodderscape for giving me access. This was a much anticipated read for me, and I have been aware of this book for a few months now.

I would like to preface this review: I have not read the original Mulan story, and do not know the details. Therefore, I cannot make a detailed analysis of how this books stands as a retelling.

Wow... just wow. K. X. Song has absolutely blown me away with this absolutely epic and exciting story. It deals with a variation of themes: gender inequality, inner conflict, grief, deception. I was moved by how each character had its flaws, but understandable motivations behind their actions. The dynamics between Lei and Meilin were wonderful to read. I hope we get more of them in the next book, as they have both suffered similar fates. I enjoyed learning about the lore, and the concepts behind the dragon, the phoenix etc. It was unique, and added a high fantasy element to this story.


On the note of gender, reading this book encouraged me to reflect. I haven't felt this with many recent fantasy books, but this one truly made me consider if the inner conflict that Meilin is facing is comparable to those that women face today. Seeing her grapple true difficulty with accepting the confines of her gender in this period was heartbreaking, but also realistic. Watching her find her own ways to rebel was a moment of immense pride, I felt like I was cheering her on.

K. X. Song has a special talent for writing tension between characters, especially that of anger, and attraction. I was fixated on this book in the last 35%, where the writing becomes immaculate. Though I will say that the first half, and certainly the Part One were a little slow, but it definitely paid off for the excellent run up to the climax.

An unexpected addition that I thoroughly enjoyed was the wonderfully written Authors Note at the end. K. X. Song writes 'And yet in the course of war, as Meilin gains courage and comes into her own power, she begins to redefine the parameters of her potential and re-imagine how far she can go in this world. I hope you, too, may do the same.' This was deeply moving.

I did not see this story being ended on a cliff-hanger and I am absolutely EXCITED for the next book. I have many unanswered questions.

I loved this book a lot. I loved the way the characters had magic through the Jade which bound them to a god.
I loved the flawed characters.
The romance was written fantastically.
I can't wait to read more from this world!

final rating: 4.5/5☆

thank you to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-arc!

i like myself a good retelling, and this is one. Mulan (the disney animated one) holds a special place in my heart, so when i saw this, i knew i had request it. this book took what was originally already an empowering and captivating story of a woman taking her father's place in the army in disguise and made it into so much more.

(spoilers ahead!!)

this book started out reminding me a little too much of the live action at first, the girl Meilin with too much qi/chi who likes to flip around rooftops and will end up marrying against her will. but then that's where it all starts going whoosh in all the best ways. her meeting with Sky felt straight out of Howl's Moving Castle and i could feel the chemistry between them, something easy and exciting brewing that i needed to see come to fruition. and boy did we see that happening throughout the training arc, even thinking she's a man, Sky became her only true friend who supported her till the end (unlike Sparrow in the end, hope he gets his comeuppance in a sequel).

small note: the naming conventions took me out a bit. perhaps because i know chinese, seeing in english, Liu Winter and Liu Sky felt a little strange. i mean, i wouldn't have minded seeing Liu Xue and Liu Tian or Liu Kong, since everyone else's names romanised.

okay but, i was not expecting all the political intrigue in this one! it was all lots of fun, especially when Meilin is imprisoned by Lei, and he keeps us guessing about his intentions, towards her, towards the chancellor, and towards the war. in the end, i think he was the one who was clearest about the truth. apart from the spirits Zhuque and Qinglong, who will never reveal the truth. magic and politics in a Mulan retelling!

i can't wait to see what could happen in a sequel, with Meilin behind bars, Lei being used to negotiate a peace treaty, and the still not destroyed seal.

The Night Ends With Fire is a fascinating retelling of Mulan, including elements of the supernatural. We see Meilin struggle not just due to her place in society as a woman but also having access to magic which is outlawed. A big theme in the book is isolation and not just because of her circumstances but also due to the other characters motivations. The book can at times feel lonely as there's downsides to all of Meilin's potential allies, even Meilin herself is dealing with controlling her impulses due to her magic's influence. It makes it all feel rather hopeless at times, not knowing who to trust has you second guessing everyone's motivations and even Meilin. Despite this or because of this... The novel itself is a riveting read and flows well as Meilin escapes her marriage and joins the army in the three kingdoms war.

The cast of supporting characters are great and standouts such as Autumn, Lei and Sparrow really bring the book together even with you guessing the motivations and how they'll react if they discover Meilin's secrets.

I look forward to seeing what happens next in Meilin's story and if she can find some allies she can confide in! Thanks to Netgalley & Hodder & Stoughton for the arc.

🌃🔥𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕎𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝔽𝕚𝕣𝕖🔥🌃
by @ksongwrites

This book was a delightful Mulan style story, with dragons, phoenix's and forbidden magic and I loved it!

We follow Meilin as she decides to seize her own fate after her father decides to sell her off for her dowry, she signs up for the war draft in his place as a formerly unknown bastard son and leaves to the war front within weeks. Her loyalty is struggling between the 7th Prince of her nation (who she grows close to during her training), a mythical dragon who offers her deeply forbidden powers, but the ability to command respect and loyalty from anyone she desires; something she as a woman has never known before - and an enemy prince who makes her question everything.
I loved this book! The relationships between the characters were so intricate and well developed, and I loved reading about how Meilin combated her natural disadvantage when it came to military training and being a woman in an army camp. The magic system was so unique and interesting too, and it was so fun to see how the different kingdoms within the book thought of magic users.
It had be gripped from beginning to end and that end o m g - the actual betrayal I felt from the actions of one of the characters right at then end was literally unfathomable; I couldn't believe they would have the audacity to treat [other character] as they did after everything [other character] did for them to keep them safe 😭💔
I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in the series - I just have to know how [character] deals with the cards dealt to them and how they exact their retribution.
○
thank you to @netgalley for this e ARC!

5 ✯

When I found out about this Mulan retelling, I was so excited to read it. This book surpassed all my expectations, and I loved all the twists and changes compared to the Disney movie.

In this book, Meilin, leaves for war pretending to be a man however unlike Mulan who left to take her father's place, she leaves to escape being sold by her father to an abusive man. Her mother had died from suicide and her father, who had never quite recovered from her death, was an abusive man addicted to opium.

The magic in this book is unique and powerful. Qinglong and Zhurque (also known as the azure dragon and Vermilion bird in Chinese mythology) were used as the sources of magic for Meilin and Sima. “Just as the phoenix feeds off vengeance, the sea dragon feeds off greed.”. I loved how Qinglong had his own wants, trying to achieve them through Meilin. I really liked the aspect of the spirit realm where she would see and speak to Qinglong, as well as see others who were also connected to the spirit realm.

I love that it was never easy for Meilin to wield her magic, there were always struggles she faced. Using too much and she would lose her sight for a period of time and iron could be used against her to suppress her magic entirely. Not only did Meilin have to hide her identity of being a woman but she also had to hide her magic from everyone as it was viewed by most as black magic.

Unlike Mulan who only had one prince love interest, Meilin had two. Sky (aka the Shang of the story) who is kind, confident, whose duty is to his people. Lei, the enemy prince of Ximing, is darker, more secretive, and his ambitions were not always clear. As much as I liked Sky, I am definitely team Lei.

That ending!! I need the second book now, and the first one has not even been released yet. I have a lot of waiting to do.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC of this amazing book.

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

Oh my goodness, what just happened?! AHHHH This is my new obsession! This book blew my mind away!!! Wow, just wow!!! And that ending? That acknowledgement?! I'm speechless!!

Meilin is our main character, and she's absolutely amazing. She's ambitious and greedy and determined. She's a force in a world meant to out her down, to cage her into a norm she wants to burn down. She doesn't yield to any man and any being. And yet, through her ambitions, she dreams to belong. To belong with her fellow soldiers, to belong in this misogynistic and cruel society in her own terms. Throughout the book, Meilin does everything she can to reach her goals. Does she always make the right decisions? Perhaps not, but given her circumstances, she always did the best she could. What I really loved about her is that she's self-aware. She knows her goals, she knows her conflicts, she knows her loyalty and when that becomes a fragile thread. I loved that she was loyal to Sky, the Prince, and not her country. She puts her people first, not a country that, to be honest, has only harmed her. I loved this distinction. Did I mention she's ruthless? Meilin gets things done, one way or another.

This book has the best love triangle. Meilin and her two Princes that couldn't have been more different from each other. Sky is deeply dedicated to the crown, his country, his loyalty. He's strategic and an inspiring general. I'm sort of suspicious of those who are so absolutely dedicated to their duty, seven though he's very endearing. Lei is our enemy Prince, and oh, he's an enigma. A very handsome, very competent, and brilliant enigma. His upbringing wasn't rainbows and sunshines as his mother wasn't the queen but a concubine. So you can already imagine the horrible things he had to experience. Trust me, it's even worse. He was refreshing because he was irreverent, vain, funny, flirty, and his opinions don't really match a royal. I have high hopes for Lei. Both Princes are excellent characters for love interests, and the push and pull was amazing. It's truly the best love triangle I've seen.

The plot and world-building are impeccable. It's literally a storytelling perfection. I had to make myself read slower because I didn't want it to end.

At its heart, it's a story about a woman who wants more. About ambition and how much it will cost. And about loyalty to people or ideals?!

If you also loved The Poppy War, we've finally found a novel that is just as good. Truth be told, if you want to read an amazing book, you must read this. It's phenomenal!

This book is so good! I was immediately captivated by this world and the pacing was fantastic. The ending had me screaming in frustration and I'm now left wondering how I'm going to wait for the sequel. Read this book!

First off, I just want to say thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC and the opportunity to review this amazing book. As a huge fan of Mulan, I was thrilled to read this retelling.

Right away, I have to mention that this book feels more like YA than adult fiction. It combines elements of Mulan, The Poppy War Trilogy, and adds a dash of DOTMG and HOTSW love and tension. It has everything I personally love in a book, but if YA isn’t your preference, this might not be for you.

I appreciated how the book addresses the treatment of ambitious women. Despite today’s more progressive society, there is still significant stigma around choosing “motherhood/womanhood” or “freedom/ambition." I also enjoyed the MFC’s confusion about her confidence, ambition, and drive. This is very relatable during the transition from teenager to adult, as it’s often hard to discern right from wrong.

The author excels at conveying betrayal and setting intricate scenes. The layers of details that the MFC is blind to but others can see highlight her naivety regarding the complexities of politics and social norms. As the story progresses, the MFC’s growth is evident and beautifully portrayed. I absolutely love it and am so excited for the next book. I wish it were already available.

Spoiler: The ending gives off ACOTAR Tamlin/Rhys canon event vibes, and I am absolutely here for it.

Firstly, i'd like to thank Netgalley and Hodder Books for allowing me to read an e-arc for an honest review.

This was a book that sounded interesting to me so i was happy that i was approved an early copy. It is inspired by Mulan and had me sucked into the adventure. Meilin is someone who knows what she wants and doesn't want to be trapped in a life which isn't fit for her. I was glad she fought for her freedom and became a stronger person than what she was in the beginning. The pacing was great and the characters intrigued me. Especially, Lei. I'm excited for book two and if you're someone who loves strong female characters, love triangles and adventure then this is a book for you.

Actual rating: 4,5 stars

It initially took me a bit to get into the story because I was a bit worried that it would take a bunch of different stories and weave them together without really becoming its own thing, but luckily that did not turn out to be the case. It reminded me of Mulan x The Poppy War x Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, but with a fresh feel.

I really loved how it combined Chinese mythology and legends with an almost grimdark atmosphere. The book certainly has darker themes and felt a bit heavier at times. I never had to put the book down or anything (in fact, I barely put the book down at all because I was so zoned in), but it was a bit challenging in certain scenes.
The writing fit the mood well and I enjoyed it.

I liked the setting and worldbuilding a lot, with the contrast between the two main kingdoms that we see in the book, one despising black magic, the other embracing it. I always like it when the worldbuilding complements other aspects of the story, and in this case, there was a nice synergy with the FMC's character development.

Speaking of the FMC: I love her. I think she and her character arc are incredibly well-written, and much of her personality is a consequence of the society she grew up in and the beliefs that had been ingrained in her. I also really appreciated that her finding her strength and power truly came only from her (and maybe the dragon), without outside forces like romantic partners kickstarting this. Not that there is anything wrong with that when it's done well, but I truly liked that she challenged herself and her beliefs because she wanted something more for herself.

Misogyny and sexism are big themes of this book. I usually prefer feminist worlds/worlds where gender is a non-issue, but when it is done well, I also appreciate the opposite. I'm very interested in how it will play out in book 2, and I wish I could say more but that would be too big of a spoiler.

I found the cast of characters incredibly interesting, as most of them are men who believe that women are inferior, so even though I liked them, I struggled with these beliefs, while also acknowledging that they are acting in accordance with what they've been told and is the prevalent opinion.
I'm also curious how the slight love triangle will be resolved. I'm certainly leaning one way and I hope it's going to end up going in that direction. The romance is not a big focus of the book, but I personally liked the way the love triangle was done (I do enjoy them in general though so if you're a love triangle hater, take my opinion with a grain of salt).

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and even though I always say I'm excited for the sequel, I don't often mean it quite as strongly as I do with this one. I truly cannot wait to see how this story continues. I have a feeling it is going to be a 2025 favorite! (I'm certainly hoping the sequel will be out next year)

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

The Night Ends with Fire
4.5 ⭐
1 🌶
1st person single POV
Mulan inspired
Love Triangle
Enemies to Lovers

Mulan has always been my favourite Disney film growing up and still is to this day. There were themes and some similar parts but no it isn't like the Disney Mulan - and I'm so glad for that and this story was amazing!

Meilin's father sends her to a matchmaker, he needs her dowry to pay for his gambling and opium debts but Meilin refuses and she enlists in the army under pretence she's her fathers bastard son as Ren.
Meilin is determined to prove she's just as strong as the men she's there with, and she gain Prince Lui Sky attention with her abilities but she needs to keep her real identity a secret.

I loved the character development throughout, she was strong at the start but by the end she had such an unstoppable force.

The ending I didn't see coming (I thought it was a standalone) and my jaw was on the floor, and I can't wait to see what Meilin does next.

Thank you for the eARC Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton

Devoured this book in 2 days! Great story and easy to follow, with plenty of turning points to keep you interested. Definitely aimed at a certain demographic who like the kind of slight fantasy and Disney retelling with more realism but perfect for me.

Mulan inspired and dragons all in the same book?!! I loved everything about this book, the romance and the growth of the FMC. The cover of this book is what grabbed my attention right from the begining!

I loved this mash up of Mulan, Chinese history of the Three Kingdoms, and Chinese mythology. It felt like Song weaved together aspects of all these into one new story that she made her own.

I loved that our protagonist's worldview expanded as she saw more of the world, how she became aware of her naivety and constantly kept growing. I loved the understanding of power and who has it, of how there are no good sides in a war. I loved the conflict within her and her ultimate decision that she wanted to be selfish, to get her own way, while also maintaining this hope in other people's goodness.

Definitely for readers of Sue Lynn Tan and Joan He, and if you found the Molly X Chang a massive disappointment, this was everything I'd hoped that could be.

Thank you for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!

I really enjoyed reading the night ends with fire. I loved the way that this book read, full of action, great characters, and a compelling story. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy historical fantasy and retellings. The characters were great in this, I especially enjoyed the variety in the characters and their development, some becoming good and others turning bad in ways that weren’t always predictable. Meilin’s character was also excellent and the way the author chose to develop the character drawing on elements of Mulan but with a new twist was really effective. Excellent book! Loved this!

This was a fantastic Mulan retelling. It blew me away and left me hooked! With solid world-building and magic, together with a protagonist who wants more than what she’s told to do. Spirit-worlds, gods, magic and ancient powers are in play, together with politics and power-struggles.

This book deals with themes of misogyny, power and greed, together with love and bravery. There were parts of this novel that were hard to read, but it truly shows the bravery that Meilin goes through. She bonds with a few soldiers I liked the inclusion of the battle between light and dark in terms of magic. As for the love interests (yes - there are two!!) I think I’m Team Sky! The romance doesn’t overshadow the plot. Rather, it enhanced it and enabled more character development.

There were parts of this novel that were hard to read, but it truly shows the bravery that Meilin goes through. A scene in particular had be so livid that I had to pause to continue reading. As for the love interests (yes - there are two!!) I’m Team Sky… who knows what could happen in Book 2? The romance was a nice slow-burn and doesn’t overshadow the plot. Rather, it enhanced it and enabled more character development.

I can’t wait for the sequel after THAT ending.

Thank you, NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating: 4.5

Oh, what a joy this book has been. There's nothing I love more in fiction these days than an ambitiously flawed woman. And Meilin definitely delivered on that front.

She's selfish, greedy, stubborn, aggressive, and constantly second-guesses herself and those around her - and yet she pushes herself to the limits for those she holds dear. She makes countless mistakes, and she's punished for it, repeatedly, to the point where you keep asking HOW she can still keep going. It's incredible how real she is, and how much love was poured into her character, despite her obvious lack of social skills and overall charisma.

Sky was the second stand-out, but mostly because of the easy dynamic he and Meilin had. At this point, I am unsure if he will be the endgame option (dang it love triangle), but I truly wish he would be. I'd love her to preserve this beautiful bond they have - the hard-earned mutual respect, the trust, the quiet peace, the banter - but I fear what her greed might be pushing her into.

Now... Lei. Fuck that guy (I say jokingly but not really), I can see him have some Rhys-like arc with his whole tragic backstory and 'most beautiful man I've ever seen' description, plus the killer physical attraction. And I am NOT here for it. I don't care how sad he is, his bipolar disorder is untreated and very dangerous. He needs medication and SO much therapy. That eye scene will haunt me for months.

Meilin might have gone to war to regain some of her freedom and have control over her life and destiny for once.  I'd go to war to make sure HE doesn't end up as the male lead.

But let's face it, I think the author could make it believable. At this point, I feel like I trust her enough.

Every page kept me hooked and made me excited to find out more and more about where the story was going. Even now, having finished the book, I am questioning how Meilin will get out of her current situation, because everything seems very grim.

All in all, The Night Ends with Fire made me feel many things and I am very excited about what's next.

If you love mulan you will love this book
This one gave me the same vibes and I devoured this in one day

The characters I loved them and the angst was just truly perfection

It's been a while since I read a fantasy novel that focused more on the plot and the fantasy elements than on the romantic aspects. This book was a welcomed breath of fresh air and has renewed my love of fantasy. Don't get me wrong, this novel did include romance, but it wasn't brought up in every chapter. I loved that it was a single POV, as it allowed me to form a deeper connection with Meilin as she fights for her freedom.

This is a Mulan retelling, and as a fan of the Disney movie, I loved reading a version that was a little darker and more suited to me as an adult. I found the story captivating, and it piqued my curiosity about the original story. 

This exceeded my expectations, as I was expecting a lighthearted, more mature version of the Mulan I grew up with, and I got so much more. This story obviously covered the subject of women's rights and how they are very much viewed and treated as property rather than human beings, and it showcased that men feared how dangerous women could become if they were allowed to hold on to power ( as they should).

Meilin fights against the natural order as she proves to herself and others that she is just as capable as any man while training and fighting in the army, and we also watch as her mind set and her priorities change as she fights to keep the freedom she has finally gotten a taste for. I really loved how Meilin was portrayed throughout this book, as she wasn't a cute and innocent woman with some potential to be a decent warrior; she was a woman with her own opinions regarding how she should live her life; she worked on her fighting skills and honed her techniques even though it was against the norm; she fought for her place and worked towards her own ambitions in the army; and she also came to know who she was as she battled with her inner demons. Meilin came to realise how ruthless and greedy she was, and while it scared her, it was interesting watching her slowly embrace this side that society wants her to pretend doesn't exist.

I can't wait for the next book, as the ending has me screaming! Regardless of how hard she tries and how much she has accomplished, a woman will never be seen as an equal. If you love the following, then I highly recommend reading this book.

- Political Intrigue
- Mulan Retelling
- Chinese Mythology
- Love Triangle
- Dark Magic
- Betrayal (this part STILL blows my mind)
- Bad Ass FMC
- Revenge

Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Spectacular! I need the next book right now.

What an amazing, action-packed fantasy that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. The pacing of this was absolutely perfect and I was completely swept away by K. X. Song and their incredibly lush writing style.

The Night Ends With Fire has a beautiful blend of the grim dark fantasy elements of The Poppy War trilogy with the stunning imagery and romance from the Celestial Kingdom duology. I don’t often like to make comparisons between books in the same genre, especially when it seems like putting authors in a box but I think if you liked either of these series then you will adore this.

Meilin is a remarkable main character; flawed, morally grey and demanding more for herself in a world that forces submission. I really enjoyed watching her character arc throughout and felt such a deep connection to her. I will always love a slightly messy love triangle which allowed a glimpse into a different side to Meilin and I cannot wait to see where this goes!

I would highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy with an Asian mythology flare.

I loved this book so much! It is honestly my top read of the year everything about it is perfect.

Meilin is a flawed main character she's selfish and often puts herself first which i absolutely love to see in fmc

The romance is flawless, I usually hate a love triangle but I am obsessed with how its done in this book, I cannot wait for book two

If Mulan was your favourite disney princess or you are a big fan of mythology retellings but make them fantasy then you have to read this!

Thank you so much for this arc copy <3

that was everything i could’ve wished for in a book. it was captivating in a way where i couldn’t put the book down. when i did, i couldn’t stop thinking about it. the plot was so engaging and fast paced - there was no “boring bit” in the middle!

the characters were loveable (meilin, sky and lei own my heart). both sky and lei were somewhat confusing, as i never knew who i should trust (if either of them), but i found the conflicting emotions really added to their characters and their depth. meilin is a classic heroine, our mulan. i was overjoyed when she used it as her name while in disguise! i wonderful nod at the original tale.

and of course the dragons. the dragon didn’t play as big of a role as i’d expected. it was all mental, communicating with meilin through her mind. i enjoyed the different twist on this, instead of the traditional (western) dragons we normally see in fiction.

the night ends with fire truly blew my mind. it was so easy to get lost in the world and the characters. i can’t wait to read the next book (although, i think the wait will be long 😭). the book ended on a somewhat cliffhanger, and i need to know how meilin will worm her way out of her predicament.

Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion .

Wow what a book devoured this in 24 hours . It was brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed the writing style the main female character was likeable in parts very determined and ambitious to prove a woman can win in a man’s world . The two love interests were very different in personalities . Magic system was easy to follow and I cannot wait for the second book . Will be first in line to read it . Loved it easy 5 stars .