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

I have ended up loving every book I've read by Amélie Wen Zhao, and The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is no different. From the moment I read the first page till I got to the last line in the book, I was obsessed. The writing style is absolutely gorgeous. It is lush and descriptive, and feels like you're right there, living in the same world alongside the characters. Though I haven't watched a lot of fantasy c-dramas, I honestly think this book would make such a perfect xianxia drama or even an animated show.

The world of the Three Realms is rife with danger and violence, and of course, demons who devour mortal souls. And we truly feel and experience this danger through the eyes of Àn’yīng, our main character. Her mother is marred by demonic sickness and she has a younger sister to care of. As Àn’yīng readies herself to participate in the Immortality Trials, you can feel how heavy the stakes are and how dangerous things really are in the world.

I honestly was on the edge of my seat so many times because there are some very intense moments, where you don't know what could happen. Living it through Àn’yīng's eyes is a bonus, because though scared, she is courageous and lionhearted and is willing to take the most dangerous risks, to meet her end goal. Her character arc is one of the most magnificent parts of the book, and honestly that is what solidified this book as a five start read for me personally.

Of course, I have to mention the romance here. The 'will-they, won't-they' vibes plus that dash of enemies to lovers thrown in, and the fact that both Àn’yīng and Yù’chén have secrets they refuse to speak of, makes for such an interesting dynamic. The chemistry between them is pretty much evident from their first interaction, and I really love the way their growing attraction was portrayed. It made their relationship feel more realistic in how it developed.

There were certain twists that I had a feeling about, but then so many others surprised me, especially the one that comes at the very end. But if you think about all that happened in book 1, it makes perfect sense. The climax is action-packed and fast paced, and all characters, Àn’yīng and Yù’chén included, suffer heavy losses. The ramifications of the ending feel heavy and transformative, and I'm excited to see how that will affect everything in book 2

Full of heart-racing moments, deadly trials and enemies at every corner as well as a delectable romance, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a masterful start, to what I feel is going to become one of my favourite series.

Thank you HarperVoyager UK for sending me an e-ARC!

The tension was so good I had to take a deep breath everytime.
The world was fine very well and I am intrigued to learn more about the Mó and the Immortal.
While the reveals/plot twists were mostly predictable they were still enjoyable to read.

Thank you to HarperVoyager UK and Netgalley for the ARC!

Years ago, the Kingdom of Night invaded the Kingdom of Rivers, and tragedy struck An'yīng's family. For the past nine year she has been fighting to keep her sister and mother alive, and practicing her practitioning (magic) to do so. Now, she's leaving her family to travel to the Kingdom of Sky, participate in the Immortality Trials, and win a Pill of Immortality to heal her mother - whose soul was half-eaten by a demon. There are 44 participants wanting one of 8 pills, so the competition is fierce.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is the first half of The Three Realms Duology, and we follow the story from An'yīng's point of view. She was a strong character, and I found the narration through her eyes compelling. It might be a case of right book, right time, but I really really loved this book. The characters were interesting, the story at times surprising, and the balance between world-building, character development, action and romance was perfect. The writing is beautiful and atmospheric, and I absolutely flew through it. And that ending... this hasn't even been published yet and I'm already actively waiting for the sequel. After a few disappointing reads, this was exactly what I needed. 9/10, would recommend.

Based on Chinese mythology this captivating fantasy is impossible to put down. With amazing world building and a unique magic tournament making this unbelievably action packed. It is bursting with plot twists and characters that will live in your head for a long while. Absolutely top tier romantasy that is simply beautiful to read.

I loved the Song of the Last Kingdom duology, and this book had been on my NetGalley list for a while—but why did I let it sit there for so long?

I was this close to a five-star read with this rather dark Asian fantasy, where immortal kingdoms, magical tournaments, sorcery, and romance intertwine.

An’ying is a mortal girl determined to save her mother, whose soul has been partially drained by a demon. To do so, she plans to enter a tournament organized by the Immortals, hoping to win the pill of immortality that could heal her mother. Along the way, she meets Yu’Chen, a dark and mysterious rival.

First of all, I absolutely loved the unique worldbuilding typical of Asian fantasy, where vivid landscapes, mythology, and magic blend beautifully. The story unfolds across multiple realms—the human realm, the demon realm, and the immortal realm, with most of the action taking place in the latter. The magical trials are fantastic, featuring immersive and richly detailed battle scenes.

But my absolute favorite part of this novel was the relationship between An’ying and Yu’Chen. If you love banter, tension, and declarations that will make you scream, then you’re in for a treat. We get enemies-to-lovers, knife-to-throat, touch her and die—and honestly, their dynamic was one of the most intense I’ve read in an Asian fantasy. I need more!

The only two things that kept this from being a five-star read for me: I wish the relationships between An’ying and her friends had been explored more (they felt underdeveloped), and a certain trope I don’t particularly enjoy makes an appearance towards the end. I’ll have to see how the author handles it in the sequel.

Overall, a fantastic read if you’re a fan of Asian fantasy, magical tournaments, and high-tension romance!

Thank you, #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK, for this e-ARC!

Post to be published on Instagram Tuesday 11th Feb

Thank you, Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The first in The Three Realms duology by Amélie Wen Zhao. The story follows Àn’yīng while the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers, the mortal realm, tears it apart. The story features themes of trust, friendship, rivalry and sacrifice.

Àn’yīng has lost her father and nearly her mother to the dangerous demons roaming the mortal realm. To heal her dying mother, she must participate in the Immortality Trails. However, for this, she must risk the journey to the immortal realm and leave behind her mother and little sister. But when a rival contestant, both powerful and handsome, promises protection and a chance of survival for both Àn’yīng and her mother, she will need to find out quickly whether she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for or if he’s the most dangerous player of all … for herself and all the realms.

The story was fast-paced and intriguing very quickly. It includes a murder mystery, romance, and many interesting "what is a monster, or what defines a monster" moments. The mythology elements combined with fantasy are always a win for me. I cannot wait for the second book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK for the ARC!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This book was incredible and I can't wait for the second book!! Àn’yīng decides to enter the Immortality Trials to try and win a pill to grant eternal life as her mum was left for dead by a demon after the attack on their home 9 years ago and has never recovered after losing part of her soul. Àn’yīng has been training hard to get the opportunity to compete, even though she knows not many survive. When she enters the trials she meets Yù’chén, who for some reason is doing everything he can to try and keep her alive, but she has no idea why and doesn't understand why an enemy would be helping her and why she is so distracted everytime she sees him (swoon). I loved the building connection and chemistry between the two of them as they go from rivals to lovers, and the book was packed with so much action that my anxiety was through the roof as she was competing. I loved the description of their world and their magic which is so multidimensional. I was never sure which side Yù’chén was on and the book kept me guessing the whole way through, and loved how he was teaching her how to face challenges in a 'controlled' situation under his guise. I felt as though although Àn’yīng was portrayed as this fierce warrior, this was because this was what she HAD to become and not necessarily what she WANTED to become, as she had to grow up so quickly the night the demons invaded her home and nearly killed her mum and sister, so when she meets Yù’chén she falters as she is torn between continuing the strong, fierce guise she has been masking herself behind, and allowing herself to trust enough to be saved by someone else for a change (rather having to be the one to save everyone else), which I felt was so poetic.
Thoughly enjoyed this so much!!

Simply spellbinding!
When I heard this was a dark Chinese romantany I thought, sure why not? I am so glad I picked this book up. I really enjoyed this authors writing. She is so descriptive in her world building is impeccable. I love the characters the action, and while the romance was a little insta-love, I didn’t mind it. I did find the story, very creative and original, even while having all of our favorite tropes
- Rivals the lovers
-forbidden romance
-trial
And my favorite with a twist
- only one bed.
I would definitely recommend this book to anybody and I cannot wait for the sequel

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK for the ARC!

I love Song of Last Kingdom so I was super excited to get an arc of this book! Amelie did not disappoint. The world building is simple but solid, and not to mention I love all the characters.

The words painted such a beautiful world and how beautiful or details of each character. The story is fast paced too with no slow parts I had to push through which felt good. Not to mention the yearning the two characters felt is just.

The plot twists are predictable but I enjoyed the story overall so I didn’t mind it.

Highly recommend if you love a Chinese romantasy.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Five Stars—No Notes—More, Please!

This book hit every mark for me! It’s a breathtaking start to what promises to be a new favorite duology, set in a richly immersive world filled with heart-wrenching twists and unforgettable characters.

Àn’Yīng has spent the last nine years protecting her family and village from the demons that stole her mother’s soul and killed her father. Armed only with her crescent blades and a tenuous grasp of the magical art of ‘practitioning’, she embarks on a perilous journey to the Kingdom of Heaven, determined to survive the Immortality Trials and win a cure for her mother.

Yù’chén… my beloved. She meets him very early on, saving his life and allying with him so they can both reach the trials.
He shattered my heart in almost every scene, and I am such a sucker for a bad boy who’s completely down bad.
As for the sequel, I’d love about 50% more Hào’yáng—his scenes were some of my favourites. His stoic mask, his quiet depth, and the raw grief in the latter part of the book nearly broke me.

This was absolutely phenomenal. While I’ve enjoyed the author’s other works, I have to say—this is her best yet. If you love C-dramas, emotionally devastating pretty boys, and a fierce heroine who won’t hesitate to kick their asses, this book is for you!

This book is a c-drama in book form and I loved every second of it!!
In this we follow Anying as she travels to partecipate in the Immortality trials, to try and win a pill that could save her mother. After losing her parents and demons reigning free in the empire, this might be the only way for Anying to save her family and her village. Travelling there she meets Yuchen a handsome, but very mysterious fellow partecipant who she allies with. Will they be able to win the trials and save the humans?

Personally I loved the plot so much, it was super action packed and extremely fun to follow. Anying was a super charismatic main character, and although sometimes she annoyed me, the reason behind her actions made sense. Yuchen was absolute perfection, I’ll never accept criticism about him. The love story was really good to follow, with some scenes that were drama worthy. And although the MCs could not catch a break I’m really excited to see where we go from here.

The world building was also super fun to read about, I’m interested to know more about the magic system since some aspects stayed unsolved. Overall if you love enemies to lovers, dagger to throat scenes and trials you can’t not love this book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an incredible book, and an amazing start to a series. The writing was absolutely beautiful, and the world building expertly crafted. The world described felt rich and beautiful and I felt the depth of the characters so keenly.

Not only did this book have a beautiful setting and incredible characters that you can’t help but love, the plot itself was immense. I was immediately drawn in from the first page and experienced a rollercoaster of emotions while reading. The ending of this book has set up for the next book beautifully, and I cannot wait to see where this story will go next. So thankful to have received a copy early and been given the chance to read this prior to publication. Already looking forward to book number two!

The beautiful writing. The coolest word. The best magic. A girl with blades. A boy who’s besotted but also sarcastic about it. What more could you want?
I enjoyed this book immensely, the whole idea was very much my thing and I think the execution was really well done. While side characters were a bit lacking, the main characters made up for it for me- they were very interesting and easy to understand- not to be confused with simple, they are both very complex. I was hooked and flew through this one- can’t wait for book 2.

That was simply amazing I adored every second of this book and the need the next one ASAP.

Read this if you love:
-Chinese mythology
-Rivals to lovers
-He falls first
-Forbidden love
-There's only one hot spring👀


Thank you Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

First of all i’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Holy sh*t, where do I even start? I LOVED THIS. This was so extremly well done. The worldbuilding was extensive, yet not confusing at all. The plot was extremely fast-paced, and I was at the edge of my seat for 99% of the time (the 1% being the acknowledgements).

Àn ‘Yīng was a very strong main character aswell, which most definitely contributed to my high rating. I really admired her resilience and how she was driven by the sole purpose of protecting and saving her loved ones.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ABOUT Yù ‘Chen :(( My Shaylaaa. I loved him. While I kind of understand why Àn ‘Yīng treated him the way she did, I just couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He deserves the world and I hope he gets his redemption arc in the sequel <33

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

"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."

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK for the ARC!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amélie Wen Zhao delivers yet another stunning xianxia novel filled with gripping twists, a compelling narrative and a swoon worthy love interest. I enjoyed Song of Silver and I enjoyed Scorpion and the Night Blossom even more! This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and this absolutely lived up to the hype. Amélie’s latest fantasy will have you flipping through those pages like there’s no tomorrow and is easily my favorite novel by Zhao thus far.

This novel follows Àn’yīng, our FMC, whose father was killed and her mother barely alive after a demon drinks away her soul, leaving Àn’yīng to care for her younger sister alone. She enters the Immortality Trails in the hopes of winning an immortality pill to heal her dying mother and there meets Yu Chen, a mysterious rival contestant that helps her through the trials.

Sometimes you can judge how good a book will be by its first chapter, and already the novel enticed me from the get go. It sets the dark, ominous tone to the novel, the formidable nature of the demons as well as setting up great angst involving Àn’yīng’s family and her strong relationship with her sister. I was already convinced by their relationship in the first two chapters and understood clearly her motives to win the trials.

I love how fast-paced the novel was and how easy it was to follow. I found that the momentum never slowed down and just wanted to keep turning the pages until the end. Like Zhao’s past novels, Amélie excels in action sequences. The trials were so compelling, increasing in stakes and danger each time and introducing readers to a diverse array of demonic creatures, both benevolent and malevolent. I loved the themes of humanity that were explored and the prejudices Àn’yīng gradually learns to cast aside as she interacts with the various contestants in the trials. While I found the murder mystery predictable and was able to guess the culprit, the other plot twists – and there are several – went over my head and I was left stunned by the end. I already enjoyed the first half of the novel, but Zhao really shines in the second half, adding more depth to the world building. Seeing all the puzzle pieces come together into one cohesive picture made my jaw drop and sets up a sequel that will be much grander in scale and one I am yearning to have in my hands right now.

Yù’chén is my new book boyfriend and is someone you will fall for in the first scene already. He is so charming, charismatic, dramatic and funny I could not stop giggling like a kid!! He has so many memorable lines I feel like I annotate everything he says. This is Amélie’s most indulgent book and it delivers on all your favorite tropes and does it WELL. You will be screaming and shouting and will probably have your heart shattered by this man too. I pity Yù’chén so much and my heart aches for him. He deserves so much love and some of the things he says will tug at your heart strings.

Àn’yīng is a strong character as she is able to fight off demons with her crescent blades, though I feel that her prowess as a practitioner felt underutilised as Yù’chén often comes to her rescue. I wouldn’t say she is a damsel, but I just wish she had more time to shine to really become book girlfriend material, so I hope we get more opportunities for that in the sequel. I did get annoyed with her at times. Her hatred for demons is justified to a certain extent – it definitely became overbearing during certain scenes and ruined certain moments. Aside from that, there were a few creative choices made in the novel that I have mixed feelings about, but they are definitely done intentionally and I cannot wait to see how things conclude in the sequel! Seriously, I will not rest until then…

A big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up!

4.5 stars - This was a fascinating story with interesting characters and a fierce and determined female main character narrating. I was drawn into Àn’yīng’s story, with the author’s skills at scene setting as well as character building. I could feel the danger of the beasts, the magic of the immortals, the depth of emotion from the characters and everything in between. The author has crafted an intriguing world of magic and myth here as well as deftly penning the chemistry between characters, the strength of Àn’yīng’s emotions at different stages of her travels and trials, the sweetness of new friendship. This story drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the very end. As always, Amélie Wen Zhao’s writing was a pleasure to lose myself in.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.