Song of Silver, Flame Like Night has a very immersive world. The pacing allowed the reader to appreciate each detail from the spices in food to the epic demon gods. The unique magic system and the chemistry between Lan and Zen were among my favorite things about this story. If you enjoy Chinese history, mythology then I highly recommend this book and the series as a whole.

SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT is a lush and engaging YA fantasy that sweeps the reader away to a kingdom at war. Lan is a songgirl, working at a teahouse and searching for information about her past. She has vague memories of when she was five and her life before the Elantians destroyed the Last Kingdom and her mother. In her mother's final breaths, she placed a symbol on Lan's wrist that only she can see. While she tries to pay off her contract, she also searches for anything that might tell her what this symbol means.

After an encounter with Elantian Angels (what they call their soldiers), Lan is concerned when they show up in her teahouse, especially since one seems eager to buy her contract. That same night, a Hin practitioner also shows up, intriguing Lan as she fights for her life from the one who purchased her contract - but then an Elantian metalworking magician appears with a vengeance specifically for Lan, recognizing the symbol and wanting whatever her mother had left her.

The Hin practitioner, Zen, helps Lan to escape and they embark on a quest that has great personal meaning to each but also massive implications for the kingdom in its entirety.

What I loved: This was such a lush and imaginative fantasy based on Chinese mythology and folklore. The magic systems, politics, and demons are all brought to life as Lan begins to learn about her heritage and what practitioning means. Following the war and the Elantian victory, most Hin schools were destroyed. One has remained hidden, and it is there that Lan begins to understand what magic means and the importance of balance in life and power. While much of her life has been loss and destruction, it has also taught her about power, sacrifice, and who she wants to be.

Lan and Zen are both compelling characters, and the story gives us sections from each of their perspectives. While they are pulled together like magnets and their history has several parallels, their specific experiences and takeaway messages have diverged. This becomes particularly clear later, in places where they feel like they have no options. The way the past has sculpted them and what they have learned from it was built from cruelty, pain, and loss- but also love, which remains a critical teacher. As they move forward in the midst of change and fear, they each find their own paths, which become juxtaposed in brutal ways, though rooted in mutual understanding.

There are many heavy themes in this book that make it quite pensive and thought-provoking, including around power and the morality of power, war crimes and the difficulty of maintaining power, family, grief/loss, the importance of balance in life, destiny and fate, the lure of negative emotions and fear towards bad decisions, and sacrifice. Lan and Zen have suffered in their pasts, as a consequence of war and the cruelty of the victors. This is a theme throughout their world's history, and the importance of objectors working towards balance and understanding the responsibility of power is one that was necessary before the Elantians as well as with them. Elantians have distorted magic, and they have destroyed the Hin that they didn't understand - even while experimenting on some individuals to try to understand - a twisted method that ripples in history. The quest for power has driven many throughout history, and understanding power, what it means, and the need for balance is a critical discussion throughout the story.

The plot is paced well, giving ample time for the reader to understand as Lan does. The story builds in different ways as the characters evolve, and there are elements of adventuring, discovering, and war at various points in time that keep the readers on their toes. None of the story felt rushed, even towards the end - and there is a bit of a cliffhanger to keep readers eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. While the story is fairly long, the pace felt steady, and it read relatively quickly.

Final verdict: An imaginative and lush story of Chinese mythology and folklore, SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT is a compulsive and pensive YA fantasy that will leave the reader gasping for more. Highly recommend for fans of STRIKE THE ZITHER, LAST OF THE TALONS, and SIX CRIMSON CRANES.

This was a fun read. I enjoyed it to the extent that I could. The pacing felt horrendously slow to me, but I did enjoy all of the characters enough that I kept on reading.

Everything in this book has been done before, but with a Wuxia twist, which might have made it more engaging if the story wasn't trying to tell me everything instead of showing me thing. I'm a Zen apologist simply because I always end up liking broody guys like him, but, like.... he still was a not-so-fun character.

This review started at four stars, but as I thought more about it, I bumped it down to two because while I did enjoy reading it, and at the end of the day, I did finish it, there just wasn't a whole lot of substance to this book. It's hard for me even to write a review on it because, frankly, I've forgotten most of what happened.

This book wasn't very memorable, but it was enjoyable? I won't be rereading it anytime soon, that's for certain.

This is such a captivating story that seamlessly weaves together Chinese folklore, romance, and well-developed characters. Set against a backdrop of enchanting mythology, the story delivers a delightful blend of fantasy and romance that kept me engaged right up to the end.

One of the highlights of the book is its richly developed characters. Each character feels authentic and multidimensional, with their own strengths, flaws, and motivations. The protagonist's journey is particularly compelling, as she navigates the challenges of both the supernatural world and her own heart.

The incorporation of Chinese folklore adds depth and texture to the narrative, immersing readers in a world filled with mythical creatures and ancient traditions. The author's meticulous research and attention to detail shine through, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience.

The romance in the novel is both tender and realistic. Unlike some romances that feel rushed, the relationship here evolves organically, with both characters facing obstacles and growth along the way. This adds a satisfying layer of depth to the story, and made me root for them to overcome their differences together.

One of the novel's strengths is its balance between the central romance and the supporting characters. While the main love story takes center stage, the side characters are also well-developed and add depth to the narrative without overshadowing the protagonists. This creates a fully realized world populated by a diverse cast of characters, each with their own story to tell.

Overall, this book is thoroughly enjoyable, with its compelling characters, enchanting world-building, and heartfelt romance It's a book that is still in my mind long after I finished.

Aside from the slightly wordy title, there is nothing bad to be said about Song Like Silver, Flame Like Night. Reading this book was like a portal back in time to every YA fantasy novel that I was OBSESSED with as a teen. It’s so well-written and the world building is phenomenal. The fact that there’s more still to come in book 2 has be beyond excited!

Lan is a mystery. She’s full of untapped power and secrets unknown even to her. Zen finds her and senses something in her beyond either of their understanding, but there paths are set to be inextricably intertwined. They have more in common that appears at first glance, yet sometimes they seem like opposite sides of the same coin. Lines between what is good and what is evil are blurred. Power and ancient secrets are at stake. The world as they know it is hanging on by a thread, and there is little hope to be had. There are so many things beyond what these characters can comprehend that could save their world or tear it apart. It’s up to Zen and Lan to lead the

I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoyed this book. There’s so much thought and complexity in the story line. The pacing is perfect and this vast magical world unfolds, reeling you in slowly. Before you know it, you’re hooked. I just couldn’t get enough. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was so good!!! I fell in love with the cover and had to read this one. And I’m so glad I did!!! I absolutely adore Lan and Zen. They are a super great pair of characters. I got hooked into this one very quickly. There was so much action it was hard to stop reading.

Lan and Zen fight their way to justice and to protect what they love. They go through so much in this book and I was there every step of the way. Not only is there a lot of action, but there’s love, heart, loyalty, drama, fantasy, and more. A little something for everyone really. If you like YA fantasy that is.

I recommend this to fantasy lovers who also enjoy a little romance, a lot of action, and a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read the next one!!!

Best fantasy I’ve read in a while! I loved all the twists & turns - it never felt stagnant or predictable. I liked the complexity and most of the characters were well developed. I didn’t buy into their love story, but I loved all the other aspects and am excited for book 2.

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

This was my first time reading anything by Wen Zhao and I'll be honest that I had to re-read it again when the audiobook was available due to wanting to pronounce the names correctly. This will not be the last book I read by this author and I looked forward to the sequel.

A solid, entertaining, well-crafted YA Fantasy from Amelie Wen Zhao. I found I quite enjoyed this and particularly loved the worldbuilding and mythology.

"Song of Silver, Flame Like Night" by Amélie Wen Zhao is a captivating fantasy novel that dazzles with its intricate world-building and compelling characters. Set in a richly imagined world where magic and politics collide, the story follows its fearless protagonist as she navigates a treacherous journey of self-discovery and rebellion. Zhao's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions bring the enchanting realm to life, while the dynamic relationships and gripping plot twists keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With its blend of romance, action, and intrigue, "Song of Silver, Flame Like Night" is a spellbinding tale that will leave fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in this captivating series.

3.5 stars

Thank you, Netgalley and publisher for this ARC.

I enjoyed this story as it's been a while since I've read something like this. I liked the authors first series so I was excited to see what this one would bring.

I didn't much care for Zen's character. He kind of annoyed me here and there. But I did like Len. Her character development was written well and I'm sure the second book will not disappoint considering what happened at the end of this one. I'll be reading a copy as soon as my library owns it.

I got super into it in the beginning, got slightly bored midway, then it picked up the rest of the way. But generally, it is a magical story based on Chinese folklore, and the main couple is worth getting invested in. Despite my slightly low rating, I will be giving the sequel a chance.

I could taste this book. The setting, characters and magic system really transported me into the story.

Omg I finally finished this. Not because I didn't enjoy it but because I have such a struggle with physically reading books. And I tried to do this on audio but I hated the narrator so physical copy it was. And I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the magic system, the story, the setting, the debate between good and evil. There was so much happening here and it was written in such a good way that I never felt bored. I always wanted to know what happened next. I'm honestly kind of glad it did take me longer to read this because the sequel is out so I can dive right in.

Along with such an interesting storyline, I loved the characters. Lan was phenomenal. She was strong. She was brave. She was sassy. And all in a good way. Lan acknowledged her weakness and eager to learn how to hone her powers. Lan cared, SO DEEPLY, and she just had so much character. Her remarks made me laugh out loud and her sorrow made my heart hurt. And then Zen. Oh what to say about Zen. You know what his outcome was going to be by the end but it still kills you to read it happen. I'm so eager for the next book to see how Zen will overcome his fate! But not only were the main character captivating, but I was invested in every single side character.

Overall, Song of Silver, Flame by Night by Amelie Wen Zhao was such a good read. Even though it took me a while to read it, I savored every single moment. This plot was so well developed and I loved every moment of the path. The magic system was interesting along with this world. And then the characters. I am obsessed. Lan is everything I want in a heroine. And Zen is our poor lost soul that we just want to hug. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy magic, demons, and forbidden arts.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I felt like this had a good start, a somewhat meandering middle, and a strong ending. I definitely want to see what happens in the sequel! I was drawn in pretty quickly, but I do think that this could have been a bit shorter/tighter in places. There were some noticeable moments of info dumping, particularly when Zen is explaining practioning to Lan. I do think this could have been worked in more naturally, but this wasn't the most bothersome case of info dumping to me personally.

The setting and magic were very interesting overall. We get to read from the points of view of characters whose country has been occupied by foreigners, and I think this was a great exploration of that, particularly with the variety of feelings and actions that come up. For example, some characters have resigned to this occupation, some are seen as traitors to their country because they are involved in Elantian court/politics, and some are actively fighting against the Elantians. We get to journey around the country some and see how these attitudes are different in various places. I liked seeing some of the different settings, though I think my favorite was probably the school since I generally like school settings.

There are multiple types of magic here. The Elantians are able to wield metal which admittedly did remind me of the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, though it's a bit different here. There are different types of practioning, including wielding magic through the use of music and summoning demons. I really liked this variety, especially since some of this is dependent on which clans people are from. The demons were interesting (not super nice but powerful), and I hope to see more of them in the next book!

I did like both Lan and Zen overall, though Zen in particular makes some poor choices (definitely want to see how this pans out). I liked seeing their different approaches to fight the Elantians, and I think this will provide some tense moments in the sequel. I can appreciate Lan's desire for power in order to protect those she loves, and I felt like she held on to this consistently throughout the book. It was really great seeing her learn to be a practioner, and I'm looking forward to seeing her develop even more in the next book.

Just like the front quote of the book states, “devastatingly gorgeous”. I fell in love with how magical this was and my heart hasn’t raced with so much adrenaline as it did with the last 150 pages!

My heart BROKE for Zen! This cinnamon roll stud can never catch a break and I’m hoping he finds happiness in the next book because I’m still grieving for him.

Erascius better die for real next time lol…

Wasn't the biggest fan of this - the execution was alright but after trying the author's other series, I think I'm done with her work for now

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

This is actually my first book by Amélie Wen Zhao, but I was immediately intrigued by the Asian fantasy aspect and the comparison to the Untamed. I enjoyed the Wuxia aspects with the similar themes of qi and demonic cultivation. It did feel like a rather slow start with things picking up exponentially in the last 70% of the book. I feel like Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is a really good setup for the rest of the series in providing the reader with a foundation to the worldbuilding, characters, and plot/conflict. But because it almost acts like an exposition, it is a slow read for the majority of the book. I wouldn't necessarily call it repetitive, but it does feel like the overall plot is the characters running from the eustrians. The base of the plot doesn't seem like anything particularly novel, but the fantasy elements add a nice twist. Some of the reveals were a bit predictable, but I liked all the reveals regarding Lan and her seals. I thought that plot point was very interesting and done well. It was a slow buildup, but when things ramped up it had me fully hooked.

Regarding the characters, in the beginning, Lan did feel a bit like the stereotypical tough YA girl main character, but I grew to like her more and more throughout the book as she gained a better grasp on her powers. I liked Zen as well but I feel like his character could've been a bit more fleshed out. I'm assuming we'll see more of him in the sequel, so perhaps we'll get to know more of him there. The side characters were nice but not necessarily particularly remarkable (but yay for Tai and his boyfriend).

While this wasn't the most memorable read for me, I'm still interested in the sequel and finding out what happens next, especially with the demon gods.

I wasn't going to post today, because I've got nothing to say, but I walked into the house and my dad was "your mom made pork buns. That's all there is for dinner." So I immediately ran to get my copies of SONG OF SILVER, FLAME LIKE NIGHT by Amélie Wen Zhao off the shelves to take a photo.

Pork buns are Lan's favorite food, and there are quite a few mentions of them.

It's been ages since I've read this book. I remember very little in regards to details, beyond it being a Chinese fantasy based on Ancient Chinese mythology. The villains are colonizers, doing as colonizers do - trying to grab all the power and getting rid of everyone in their way. And the small band of misfits/students trying to save themselves and prevent the colonizers from gaining more power.

It's a young adult novel, and I feel that it actually is written for it's target audience. There's just enough simplification, and explanation of the mythology for audiences of all backgrounds to understand. Maybe some new audiences will get into xianxia and wuxia.

I listened to most of this book, and the narrator, Annie Q, did a great job, particularly with Lan. I felt she really brought Lan's worries and confusions to life.

The pacing of the novel can feel uneven. Periods of slow where nothing is going on as they learn in the school, hide from villains, or match towards their quest. These slow periods are quickly followed but faster, or at least more emotionally tense battle scenes. However, I think it works for the novel overall.

I'm excited for the next book to be out sometime in 2024.

Content Notes: violent death of parent in front of child, other violence.