actually really beautiful writing and descriptive prose! it was just a lot to take in, and the fantasy/action plot was difficult to mesh with the writing style at parts. like it would be a life/death situation and the character would spend an hour describing her sword. i liked how much folklore was woven throughout the story! i am not very familiar with traditional Chinese stories/ideologies so it was neat to see some parts and pieces of them as the narrative progressed.

Very good read. I really liked this book. The characters were the best part. Another good about this book was the magic elements. It gave Fushigi Yuugi vibes!

Thank you for allowing me the chance to read this book.

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s a richly imagined fantasy with complex characters and emotional depth. The story weaves themes of power, identity, and sacrifice in a way that felt fresh and compelling. I really connected with the protagonists—their struggles felt real and grounded, and the relationships were layered, not just romantic but also about trust and loyalty. The worldbuilding is vivid without being overwhelming, and the pacing kept me hooked. It’s not perfect - some moments felt rushed, and a few plot threads could have used more space to breathe. But overall, it’s a powerful story that stayed with me long after I finished. If you’re looking for a fantasy that balances action with emotional nuance, this one’s definitely worth a read.

Another beautiful book written by this author who does young adult fantasy books so well. Five stars for me

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night’s narrative is slow, but enthralling. At no point was I able to put this one down. The world building is masterful, the characters interesting, and the magic system is stand out. It makes you want to read the sequel immediately.

A sweeping YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology, filled with lush world-building and forbidden magic. The action is nonstop, and the emotional arcs hit hard. An impressive, immersive start to a new series.

Started off a little confusing and underdeveloped, but drastically improved once Zen and Lan reached the School of the White Pines. By halfway through, I couldn't put it down! Will definitely be seeking out the second book in this duology ASAP!

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

I own this and intend to read it in the future I'm just clearing this off my board to reduce stress. I will update when I read/review.

I love a fantasy series, but to include Chinese mythology and folklore? I eat it up everytime! This did not dissapoint and I am looking forward to continuing.

I will have to admit, I started this book a few times before I was able to get in to it. At first, the unfamiliar words and pronunciations made my head swim, and I felt a little lost. Determined to read what I had been told was such a marvelous story, I picked up the audiobook instead and I was swept away! A riveting story of a boy and girl brought together through magical and unforgiving circumstances, both determined to save themselves and their way of life. I loved the lore of this book, the story steeped in a magic system well fleshed out and very unique. I can’t wait for the sequel!

This book had fantastic world building with high stakes and real moral dilemmas. The characters were vibrant and flawed which helped add to this idea of what it means to become the villain. Are we born that way or do our situations force us to become that way? I LOVED this book and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.

I do absolutely plan to read this in the somewhat near future. I've basically heard only good things from mutuals.

Wow. One of the most incredible YA fantasy books out there. "Song of Silver, Flame Like Night" is a first in a series (duology?) and it is exceptional. Zhao pulls you in from the start and keeps you hooked from page to page. The way the Zhao weaves such palpable emotion into every scene is truly an art. The book weaves storytelling in with a history of a world that she created and that feels so real and mirrors the one that we live in. Every character that we meet is truly alive and you will immediately connected to them all. You fall in love with our two main characters Lan and Zen and feel every emotion that they feel as you read. The story truly comes to life and the pictures are painted so clearly. This is a book I will be recommending for ages.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao is an epic fantasy novel that immerses readers in a richly imagined world inspired by Chinese mythology, magic, and history. The story follows a young heroine, Lan, who bears a mysterious mark on her arm, a remnant of her mother’s murder and the secrets of her past. When she meets Zen, a practitioner of an ancient magic forbidden by their oppressive rulers, they embark on a journey to unlock her true power and uncover the mysteries surrounding their world.
Zhao’s world-building is breathtaking, filled with intricate lore, ancient magic systems, and vivid landscapes that feel both magical and dangerous. The influence of Chinese culture is woven beautifully into the narrative, giving the story a distinct and refreshing flavor in the fantasy genre. The mythology and history at the core of the novel are deeply immersive, with Zhao creating a universe that feels vast and alive.
The themes of identity, freedom, and resistance are central to the narrative, as Lan and Zen fight against an oppressive empire that seeks to erase their culture and magic. Zhao explores these themes thoughtfully, adding resonance to the fantastical elements of the story.
While the plot is action-packed and filled with magical battles, ancient secrets, and dangerous quests, Zhao also takes time to delve into the emotional and psychological complexities of her characters. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged with twists and turns while allowing for moments of introspection.

Fun and thoughtful fantasy I really enjoyed getting into, I loved getting to learn about the world and characters and Chinese culture overall. Good epic fantasy book that had a fun adventure.

It’s an enjoyable book overall. Zhao’s writing is beautiful. I don’t know if I will read the next one even though I enjoyed this one. It was a bit predictable but not really in a bad way.

Beautifully written fantasy that explores Chinese mythology and culture. I enjoyed this book even though I found it more action rather than character driven which is my personal preference. Even though I didn't establish a strong connection to any of the characters, I did experience the depth of feeling in the many relationships depicted. Excited for book 2.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao is a captivating read for fans of epic fantasy and Chinese mythology, who will be swept away by the richly imagined world, complex characters, and the stirring adventure of a young practitioner's journey to reclaim her people's magic and destiny.

"In a conquered land, the only way to win was to survive."

Lan's looking for clues to understand the character inscribed in a magical tattoo on her wrist that only she can see. It was put there by her mother as she died amidst the colonial takeover of the Last Kingdom. Twelve years later, the Elantians have relaxed into ruling a conquered land, and Lan works as a songgirl at a Teahouse. The work provides only precarious safety-- the kind that exists more as a comforting lie than as a reality. The lie loses its power the night when she catches an Elantian soldier's eye. In a panic to protect herself, she unleashes something that brings Elantian magicians down on her head, including the one who killed her mother. The good news is that it also attracts one of the secret remaining practitioners, a group who went into hiding but once filled the roles of legendary heroes. Until this night, Lan didn't think there was any basis for those stories in reality.

Zen takes a great risk in rescuing Lan. Not only is she hunted by one of the most powerful Elantian magicians, but she could be a threat to The Way. Zen is keen to follow the rules of his school that prioritize balanced qì. Not only is this an important step in manipulating qì, but it's also a guardrail against dangerous demonic practitioning. Lan is not as keen as Zen to play things by the book. Called silver-tongued by her best friend and regularly drawn to taking shortcuts where she can, the rules are something she's happy to ignore when it suits her. Lan knows she can talk her way out of most trouble should it come to that. As Lan and Zen trek through the forest to what they hope will be a safe harbor, these personality differences are increasingly evident. Lan at one point tricks Zen into slowing down on their endless march by claiming to be on her period. An ICON. That boy scurries, I tell you.

The simplicity of these early interactions is not to last. It's one thing when it's just the two of them against the world and quite another when not only Lan's secrets start to come to light, but Zen's as well. While they share the goal of overthrowing colonial rule, the methods they're willing to use may not line up. And in this tension, they both struggle. Ultimately, decisions must be made even if they destroy their peaceful bubble.

The story entertains a complicated conversation around power and balance. What do you do when you're desperate and overpowered? I think the nature of the conversation-- acknowledging that it's not simple and that it might depend on circumstance-- bleeds over into some confusion in the plot. For example, characters may argue and then at a later point completely switch roles and argue again from the opposite sides. I respect leaving a healthy gray area, but the result here was more of a muddy ambivalence. In addition, the back-and-forth in the latter part of the book played into some issues I had with pacing. After the slow build of relationships up front, everything gets very intense toward the end, sometimes to the story's detriment. Increased action and pace were fine, but I felt some relationship arcs swerved or jumped in ways I wasn't prepared for and didn't get on board with. In general, I found the pacing to be a bit off balance for what I prefer-- drawing out some aspects and rushing others where I wanted the opposite or at least some moderation. We do get some emotional moments right at the end, delving into key relationships like parent and child or master and student. They make their mark but fall victim to the rapid milieu rather than sitting with the big feelings at play.

I can't emphasize enough how powerful I think it is to tell stories about resisting colonization, and this book does not sugarcoat. It takes in all kinds of violence, and all kinds of grief that follow. The anger and vengefulness that can summon demons are in ample supply. It's a hard story, a valiant one. It encompasses moments of inability to protect what you hold most dear, but also the fire to resist all the same. I hope that the second part of the duology resolves some of its philosophical discussions and evens out its pacing a bit, especially for big emotional beats. Regardless, I think readers would benefit from picking this one up and reflecting on Lan and Zen's fight for justice in an unjust world. Thanks to Delacorte for my copy to read and review!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was meant to be my first book of 2023 and yet, it is only now in 2024 that I finally got around to reading it.

That being said, Song of Silver, Flame Like Night was worth the wait.

This book was so hyped for me especially in the weeks/months leading up to the release. After it came out, I haven't heard many people talking about it and I don't understand why. This book was brilliant and deserves to be read by so many more people.

The book follows Lan who lives under the colonial rule of the Elantians who killed her mother before her own eyes. Before she died, she gave Lan a mysterious message on her wrist, one only Lan herself can see. When an incident at a tea room makes her join with Zen, a mysterious man who can use magic, Lan seeks to discover the last message her mother gave her, one that is intertwined with the myths and legends that she grew up with.

From the start, the book was gripping. I think that's thanks to the writing style which was so descriptive and rich and fast-paced. I loved Lan from page one, her quick wit and snark was great to read on the page and her interactions with Zen were so much fun and cheeky. I really hope they become endgame in book two.

I loved the world building, the characters and the writing. Everything was done so well in this book. I don't really have any criticisms to be honest apart from how the middle part of the book felt a little slower than the start and ending. I am so excited to read the sequel. I wouldn't mind more books set in this world.