Podcast: Fantasy author Amélie Wen Zhao talks about her newest book, Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White, the concluding volume of her “Song of the Last Kingdom” duology (coming January 2, 2024).

Inspired by mythology from ancient China with some historical elements mixed in, the duology is based in a colonized land whose magic has been hidden to protect it from the colonizing peoples, and Amélie talks about developing the demon gods and their interactions with the world, how the magic system is based on Qi (the energy living beings possess), and more.

https://www.writersafterdark.com/writers-after-dark-132/

Thank you for this e-ARC of Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White in exchange for an honest review! It took me a little bit to finally type out this review, but I was in love with the first book and was so excited for the sequel. The romance really carried the book and I hadn't read the author's previous series, but I think this book might make me start. I think the author's voice is also very distinct, and I can't wait to see what else the author puts out.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I LOVED THIS BOOK!! Amelie is a genius of a writer. It had been a while since I’d read song of silver flame like night but this sequel did not disappoint! I love her whimsical and descriptive writing. Zen and Lan are such wonderful characters and I love their romance. There was also a lot of pain in this book that I may never forgive Amelie for but I also love her for it at the same time. The magic system of this world is so beautiful I love it so much. It’s so well thought out and intricate but also easy to understand. I’m so excited to meet Amelie in a couple of weeks!!! Everyone should read this beautiful duology! Now to read more of her books ASAP.

I'm not sure why, but I found myself skimming this entire book and not really being drawn into it at any point. Maybe it was because everything seemed a little too convenient for Lan in the first book--she sure figured out those powers fast, and just in the nick of time, and how lucky that the Four Ancients were mostly already in her grasp--so it didn't feel like she had earned any of the events (good or bad) of this second book.

It wasn't that it was bad--it wasn't--it's just that there was nothing to grab me and make me read the events while they were happening, instead of just skimming through to see what would happen next.


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

4 stars!!!!!! second book to the series
definitely a beautiful and well-written fantasy book with such beautiful writing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Amelie Wen Zhao for the opportunity to read Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White in exchange for an honest review.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is the conclusion to the Song of the Last Kingdom duology, preceded by Song of Silver, Flame Like Night. After an intense end to the first novel, this second book picks up shortly after where the first left off.

Lan has set off with a few companions. Her goal: find the other demon gods and kill them to end the war that has torn their country apart (through colonization). Lan, holder of the Silver Dragons, feels betrayed by the boy she loves, Zen, for he harbors the Black Tortoise. At least she knows where that demon god resides. Now she must find the Azure Tiger and the Crimson Phoenix (note the gorgeously illustrated cover of the novel). Lan just needs to get her hands on the Godslayer for this vision to become a reality.

Zen, on the other hand, believes harnessing the power of the demon gods is the only way to stop the Elantian colonizers. Same side as Lan, technically, but with a very different belief and approach. He doesn't think one demon god will be enough to vanquish the colonizers completely. But with the aid of a demon practitioning army, maybe he stands a chance in achieving his goal.

Lan doesn't want to forgive Zen, but her heart still yearns for him. What will happen when they cross paths again? Whose path will be the ultimate vanquishing? 

Zhao has a great craft and this novel is steeped in Asian folklore and mythology surrounding the four gods, but done in a creative way with demon practitioning. We of course get to see the Azure Tiger and the Crimson Phoenix at a few points in this novel (of course, because it concludes the series), and the introduction to the person holding the Phoenix is rather intriguing. There could have been a lot more built there, but the book is already rather long as it is.

After a long journey, Zen and Lan's tale comes to an end, and it is an incredible, wholesome tale sure to take the reader's breath away. Perfect for fans of historical fantasy and high-stakes young adult fantasy with a dash or romance.

This was such an epic journey. This is the second book in the duology. It's full of lyrical prose and mythical creatures. I loved the different power structures with Lans ocarina and the Demon gods of different animals.
The love story between Lan and Zen continues from the first book as they where on different paths from their training they met. When they met back up she was wary and he was desperate to talk to her.
There was so much action with the demon gods throughout the book. I would love to watch this with the black tortoise, an azure tiger etc. My imagination was not doing them justice I'm sure.
Check out if you enjoy lyrical world building and prose, bittersweet love stories and Chinese mythology.

A thrilling and thoughtful conclusion, Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White will keep readers anxiously turning pages! While trying to overthrow the oppressive Elantian Empire, Lan must face Zen’s searing betrayal and wrestle with the feelings she still harbors for him. Meanwhile, Zen must confront the consequences of his choices as he plans a final end-game with both the Demon Gods and the Elantians. Both Zen and LAN are sure they can secure peace for their people, but at what cost?

A perfect duology for mythical drama lovers and those who believe in the enduring strength of love.

What can I say except this book was a bittersweet one to read? I was sad to see it end as I loved the characters. I want to read more from this author and will check out some previous works since I liked this series so much.

Amelie Wen Zhao always writes incredible stories and this one continues the epic tale that started with Song of Silver, Flame Like Night. Seeing the characters unravel after they worked so hard in book one absolutely broke my heart and I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time.

First off, what a beautiful and exquisite book cover! If you have read Song of Silver, Flame Like Night, you already know what prose this author offers. Zen and Lan have two different journeys in this book, both coming to conclusion in Shaklahira.The steaks are high all the way through this book and it was amazing to come back to this story. Would recommend for lovers of Elizabeth Lim.

This book is a good sequel to the story and I was intrigued by the further lore about the Chinese mythology. Unfortunately for me, it was a slower read since our two main characters are separated from the start of the book. Independently, they are not as strong of characters as they are together. There are also some character tropes that Lan falls into that I have seen trending across many Asian female protagonists recently in YA.. The book was good in the sense that while it has struggles that I see in many sequels, I wouldn't say that it has put me off from following the series as it continues to come out.

I felt the same about this book as I did the first. I liked the ideas for this book but still a lot of info dumping, slow, and I did not get to know the characters enough to have any kind of emotional response to their story.

It’s notoriously hard for me to get to a sequel if there’s a long gap between two instalments. After absolutely loving the first book and being left on a devastating cliffhanger, I was surprisingly buzzing to get to the second book.

Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White is an exceptionally well-done conclusion, building on its strengths from the first boo: the lyrical prose, the striking and vibrant setting descriptions that absorb the reader into the story.

The beginning is a little slow, but it’s always a good pace. We’re constantly moving towards something.

Lan and Zen continue to have a burning chemistry that intensifies, even more with grief, anger and love entangled. Every scene they have together is drenched in bittersweet heartache.

It has some incredible, dark and hair-raising scenes in the book, where the true gravity of the risk and danger of what Zen is trying to do sinks in for the reader.

The last few chapters leading up to the climax and then the epic battle at the end is phenomenal. It’s cinematic in its visuals. It is massive in scale and magic. It is dramatic with its magic. It’s a full circle back to the moment where the story had begun. I had my heart in my throat afraid to reach the inevitable, but it’s an ending worthy of the story.

Ugh, this was a heartbreaking end to this lyrical duology! Still, I enjoyed being in this world for another book.

I’m giving this 4 star even though I tried multiple times to get into the book and just couldn’t get into the story, so I’m not going to give a bad review on a book that just wasn’t for me.

What a beautiful cover!! I love the worldbuilding and characters in this duology, but this book felt very slow. Unfortunately after having the ending spoiled (and finding it not for me) I've decided to not continue reading. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

*Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White* by Amélie Wen Zhao is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy and epic adventure, set in a richly imagined world. Zhao's evocative prose and complex characters make this a standout read, full of intrigue and emotional depth that will captivate fans of immersive storytelling.

2/5 stars

I think this is a me problem, but I just couldn't get into this. Thank you for the ARC!

Unfortunately, this sequel did not live up to the first. For the first book, I generally viewed it favorably and with fondness. However, this one was hard to get through. I feel like it took the worst parts of xianxia dramas and put it all into the book, like unnecessary noble sacrifices, unnecessary bad communication between main characters, a split plot between two characters where really only one person is interesting, a random new villain who wants a forced marriage, etc.

Not to mention, I thought the ghost army was very Lord of the Rings. (Or maybe Legend of Fuyao, which also ripped off Lord of the Rings.)

The character growth was little to none.

I found the romance to be overdone in this. Well, the first one was already a bit much, but for this one, it was difficult to take them seriously when they'd known each other for a matter of weeks. The constant callbacks to "intimate moments" in the first book also felt repetitive (and I was especially annoyed because I went to the trouble to reread the first book prior to starting this).

Also, how in the world did it make sense to be able to bind two demon gods? If you already promised one your body, mind, and soul, what does the second demon god even get? It felt a bit hand-wavy here.

Received a free copy from Netgalley.