The Night Ends With Fire by K.X Song – a Review

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Description:
Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.

The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.

In the army, Meilin’s relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

Review:

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song is a fantasy built around Chinese mythology.  Three Kingdoms are at war, and Meilan’s (our heroine) father, who has an addiction, refuses to enter the draft. He decides that he will sell his daughter, who is 18 years old, for a dowry, with her husband-to-be being a violent and evil man.  Meilan leaves home and enlists in the war, disguising herself as a young boy, named Ren. Meilan/Ren has trained over time to be excellent in martial arts, as well able to fight better than most men. She is assigned to the Seventh Company, and is surprised that the leader is Liu Sky, the prince of Anlai. Meilan knows she must conceal her identity, as women are not permitted to fight or practice black magic (she is a spirit medium); revealing her secret could mean death.

In the army, Meilin/Ren earns respect from fellow soldiers, as she is a workaholic; bringing recognition and friendship along the way.  Slowly, her commander, Sky admits that Ren is better than any of the other men in the group; until when he discovers that she is a woman.  At first, Sky ignores her, but keeps her secret; and in time he begins to have feelings for Meilin; as she also slowly falls for him. I did like the chemistry between Meilan and Sky, as they were very good together. When Meilan is captured by Prince Cao Ming Lei and his army, he knew from the start that she was a woman; and in time he also was attracted to the beautiful Meilan. 

As the war escalates, Meilan beings to have visions of a dragon spirit that offers her magical powers, which could come as a price. Meilan needs to know who to trust; Sky, whom she is loyal to; The Dragon Spirit, Qinglong, who may not be telling the truths or Lei, attractive possible enemy, who could be revealing the real truths. 

The Night Ends with Fire was an exciting intriguing, fast packed adventure of magic, war, feminism, romance and betrayal.   I thought the first third of the book was a bit slow, though that last half was very exciting. To say too much more, would ruin things along the way.  This was an enthralling epic fantasy, with an ending that was wild and climatic.  The Night Ends with Fire was very well written by K.X. Song, and I look forward to the next book in this dulology/series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

K. X. Songis a diaspora writer with roots in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Raised between
cultures and languages, she enjoys telling stories that explore the shifting nature of
memory, translation, and history. She is the author of An Echo in the City and the
forthcoming The Night Ends with Fire, her adult fantasy debut. You can learn
more at kxsong.com.