Amelie Wen Zhao does it again. The queen of fantasy is back. This book did not disappoint, you need to pick it up!

This was my first book by Zhao and WOW, it did not disappoint. Zhao’s writing is magical. Lush and eloquent, her characters and landscapes leap off the page. Zhao’s world-building is based in Chinese mythology/lore, and I loved learning about the mortal and immortal realms alike. The pacing in this book is fantastic, too, and I never felt myself getting bored or drawn away. And the “will they or won’t they” love story of Àn’yīng and Yù’chén had me HOOKED.

If you adore books with forbidden love, deadly trials, magic, and “touch her and die” vibes, you NEED to add this book to your tbr immediately! I didn’t want this book to end and am so excited for the sequel. I will shamelessly beg for an ARC of book two

What an amazing story, blending Chinese lore into a gripping fantasy. She sticks quite close to the actual elements of Chinese lore which I loved, yet turning into a brand new story. A refreshing read!

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a thrilling and captivating tale following Àn’yīng as she sets out to complete the Immortality Trials which are the key to save her mother from the aftermath of the demon attack that destroyed her family years ago. Along the way, she encounters the mysterious Yù'chén, who takes a liking to her and take it upon himself to help her survive the deadly trials.

Amélie has woven a great story full of action, tension, love, and drama. The world-building is really gripping and there are several twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I've enjoyed the characters a lot, though the push and pull between Àn’yīng and Yù'chén became a bit much at some point, but I think the addition of Hào'yáng spiced things up and helped things move forward.

This was a promising start to this duology and I'll be looking forward to reading the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the eARC!

Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
Genre: Fantasy Romance l Young Adult
Length: 400 pages
Release Date: March 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted e-arc of this new release from Amelie Wen Zhao.

I am finding out a way to a book in these hot little hands is by putting a gorgeous cover on it because from the moment I saw this art I knew I needed to have it. This novel is the first in a duology (love these shorter series!). Within these covers we have quick pacing, magic, family bonds, secrets, and the nature of good and evil against a backdrop of world at war with demons, where mortals are dying out. I was on the edge of my seat loving the action scenes and found myself really captivated by the blossoming romance between the characters.

We follow our FMC, Àn'yīng, who enters the Immortality Trials, a deadly competition that offers the chance to win a pill of eternal life, the only hope for saving her mother's soul. To do so she must face a dangerous rival and a world of secrets. Although not many are successful, she is determined armed with her father’s blades and help from a rival Yu'chén. The lines blur between friend and foe; is Yu'chén to be trusted?

I struggled a bit with the stiffness of the writing that didn’t seem to flow as seamlessly as I was hoping. I am very interested to see how this duology concludes. This is my first work from Zhao and it definitely won’t be my last.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is unlike anything else I've read! Even similar mythology-inspired books aren't the same. While some parts were easy to guess, I still have questions on what will ultimately happen, and that's not usual for me in YA duologies at the end of book one. Usually, I know what's coming, and it's the promise of it being told well that has me coming back for more. This time, there are enough unknown variables that that alone will be bringing me back for book two! Excited for the sequel for sure!

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers devastated the land. Àn’yīng’s family was also destroyed, her mother was barely alive and with a baby sister. The mortal realm grows dark, and demonic mó eat humans and devour souls. Àn’yīng has trained with crescent blades and plans to enter the Immortality Trials. If she completes the trial, she can get a pill of eternal life to heal her mother. People usually die, but someone is helping Àn’yīng stay alive. Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng. On top of this, it becomes clear that something has gone wrong in the immortal realm itself.

Àn’yīng witnessed a demon attacking her village when she was young, and one was in the process of eating her mother's soul when her father intervened. Though her father was killed, the mó left her and her sister behind, as well as their mother. With only half her soul, their mother is unable to feed or care for herself, and rarely speaks. Àn’yīng has been creating a tonic from special lotuses to prolong her mother's life a month per dose, but the pill of immortality will help her mother regrow the soul she is missing. The journey to the tournament is fraught with terrible creatures and practitioners willing to slaughter humans to increase their own chances of winning. Traumatized by the past, Àn’yīng still has mercy enough in her heart that she won't kill innocent humans or even the half-breed creatures that now exist.

Àn’yīng is a target for other contestants, but she also has allies in other ones. There are signs that things have gone wrong during the test, and there are significant issues that she sees within the Kingdom of Heaven. She's still determined to win, but so is everyone else. She must face her prejudices, her fears, and her traumatic history as she progresses through the trials. They're dangerous, and someone is killing other contestants in between trials. Yù’chén continues to help and protect Àn’yīng, even when his secret disgusts her. The two are still drawn to each other, and there are major revelations in the final third of the book. The war between realms and the challenge presented by the mó continues to heighten over the course of the book. I really enjoyed this, and hope we get a sequel. Àn’yīng has a lot more in store for her, and I would love to see it.

I sobbed over this book, in the best of ways.

Was it fairly predictable to avid fantasy/romantasy readers? Yes. Did that take away from its charm? No.

I was swept away by the characters, their relationships, and their individual missions. It was clear that there was a lot more going on than what we were exposed to through the lens of the female protagonist. Even with the anticipated twist, it was delicious.

A few things were wanting:
- Really I wish it was longer. I felt like more backstory and worldbuilding could have made the whole experience deeper and more enjoyable


- I am still a little confused on the “he fell first” element of the love story. It felt like it was a thing but not. Just kind of confusing (maybe that was intentional, given it’s how the FMC felt).

- I will also be mad if this ends as a standalone. There is more story to tell, and not in the way where I can just imagine the ending in my mind. Too many loose ends.

Overall, if you liked Daughter of the Moon Goddess (Sue Lynn Tan) or any of Amelie’s books, definitely don’t miss this one. Dark Star Burning is still my favorite, but this one will merit some rereads and valued shelf space.


Huge thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the Scorpion and the Night Blossom. All opinions are my own.

THE SCORPION & THE NIGHT BLOSSOM had me grinning like an idiot the entire time I read this book.

Àn’yīng’s world has been shattered by beautiful yet deadly demons called mó. Desperate to save her mother, she journeys to the immortal realm to compete in the Immortality Trials, where the prize is a cure that could change everything. But survival isn’t easy, especially when one of her fiercest rivals, Yù’chén, keeps stepping in to help her. He should be her enemy, yet their fates seem hopelessly entwined.

Drawing inspiration from Chinese mythology, AWZ masterfully reveals the intricate world of The Three Realms. I couldn’t help but feel for and root for Àn’yīng’s journey to save her family from the demons that waged war on the mortal realm. The tension between Àn’yīng and Yù’chén crackles from the moment they meet, and their meet cute had me cackling. The push and pull between the two throughout this book is delicious. While ending leans a little heavy on the info-dumping, it lays strong groundwork for where I imagine Book 2 will take us. Fans of romantasy, pick this one up!

Thank you Delacorte Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much! We meet Àn’yīng, searching for a cure for her ailing mother while caring for her younger sister. She decides to enter the Immortality trials to try for a chance to win a pill of eternal life. The mystery of trying to figure out who has been helping her survive while deciding whether to trust a particular handsome rival. There's so much tension between this rival and our FMC and we get some pretty spicy moments. The ending was unexpected, and some unexpected twists are revealed.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the e-arc!

I loved this book from start to finish. Before I even finished I had already recommended it to a handful of people. I'm so excited for the second book to come out so I can see where the story goes next. I have so many hopes for what will happen and for what I don't want to happen.
I liked the reality of how the trauma was still present and affecting the main character. I also loved the slow burn (and I have hopes it's not over). There were a lot of twists and turns that made the story more exciting. Some of them I had inklings about and others were more surprising.

Thank you to delacorte press and the author for an advanced reader copy of this book

Immortals? Demon? Trails? Unlikely allies? Enemies to lovers? YES PLEASE. I loved this. I want you to read this and experience it for yourself, but I thought this was just so enjoyable!

This took entirely too long to read.
It was fine, nothing ground breaking, no big shocking reveals, no fantastic love or character development, no big final battle that meant anything.
Honestly I would be a little disappointed if I paid to read this. I just did not find something in it to keep me going. I think I put off the last 5% of the book for about a week because I just couldn't find a way to connect and care about it.
Needless to say I will not be reading the next one.

Thank you Random House Children’s Books for the #NetGalley copy.

Absolutely stunning in this adventurous and magical story filled with a blade-wielding heroine, immortals, dragons, and rivals that you can never let your guard down around - be it one’s physical well-being or heart.

Rating: 5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

Wow, just wow. If you love fantasy, YA books, with romance, mythology, enemies to lovers, great characters and plot. This book is about An’ying whose world has been ravaged by demons, her mother’s soul has been taken by a “mo” they’re like vampire demons. The only way that she can save her mother is to compete in a high-stakes competition and the prize is a pill that will grant you eternal life. You will go on an adventure to where the immortals live and then you will watch the trails begin. You will see death, you will see happiness and betrayal, you will find a well-developed plot with well written characters and at the end of the book you will be wishing that book 2 was already out.

I have loved Amelie Wen Zhao's work before and I love this book, but I couldn't put it down. I would have finished it in one sitting if I didn’t have to work. lol I found the plot to be fun, with the right amount of danger, the plot twists and turns might have been a little predictable but only because I am a huge fan of fantasy. If you haven’t read a lot of fantasy, you will love them, heck I still do. I loved that you would find a love triangle in this book, and I wasn’t expecting that when I went into this book. I loved that Amelie did a fantastic job with getting the reader to slowly build up trust with one character but at the same time making sure that the doubt that An’ying is feelings toward him is something to remember. I found the tension and chemistry between these characters to have been top notch, they just connected but at the same time you have this doom looming over. I do want to take a second and talk about how well Amelie wrote Yu’chen character, he is the perfect enemies to lovers’ trope, you will love him but feel as though something isn’t right…you might even know what it is but at that point you’re just hoping that he will do the honorable thing. I loved that he was so charming but honest at the same time. I liked that he slowly wore down An’ying and was there teaching her everything she needs to know and not just because he cares, but because she is hardheaded, strong willed, she can do herself and I loved that she kept it that way even when she was struggling, she wouldn’t ask for help until the last second. Ugh, I could go on and on, but I know that I will give out a spoiler and I don’t want to do that.

Okay just know going into this book you might have the pace to be slow at first, but I promise that it will pick up and when it does OMG! It takes off and doesn’t stop, you will find yourself at the end of the book picturing all the way that the sequel will show what happens next. You will be left with all the questions and not upset that you have to wait until the book comes out but you are excited.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This ! This book has everything that makes me a fantasy reader:
Mystery
Fantasy
Romance
Mythology
Romantasy
Young Adult
Magic

I was pulled in from page one and was lost in the world of the trials.

I had a really great time with this. High drama, lots of action, some nice character development (and an enemies to lovers storyline that isn’t just two characters being mean to one another!!). I would have enjoyed a smidge more worldbuilding and discussion of how magic works but that’s okay, there was enough to work with.

What I really loved was the tension between Àn’yīng‘s distrust of Yù’chén and her desire to be fair to him, which bleeds into affection. It’s complex and well explored, with lots of back and forth regarding how she can be fair to other halflings and feels guilty treating Yù’chén differently—all while she (and we, the reader) wonder if her mistrust is unfair or just prudent. The conflict felt very natural and I enjoyed the pacing of it.

Finally, the entire last 20% or so of the book was exciting, emotional, and full of twists. I couldn’t put it down and very much look forward to the sequel!

I was hoping for a story that captivated me somewhere as close as Song of Silver, Flame Like Night did, and instead I got a story that barely managed to catch my attention at all. I’m frankly surprised I managed to finish it.

The world building is there. The atmosphere is there. The plot? It’s been done before and had a trope I absolutely loathe. The story? Also been done before and done better. The characters? None of them were interesting, none of them felt new, and none of them had chemistry together.

I felt incredibly let down by this book. When you keep falling asleep during the climactic events of the book, you know you’re in trouble.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews rated three stars or under do not appear on my social media. Thank you.

Àn’yīng’s world shattered nine years ago when a demon killed her father and drank half of her mother’s soul. She must now provide for herself and her sister, while trying to keep their village safe. When she is given the chance to compete for a pill of immortality, which would restore her mother, Àn’yīng knows she will do whatever it takes. Along the way, she connects with Yù’chén and she forms a reluctant alliance with her rival to survive in the realm of the immortals. As they battle demons, both of them hold secrets that would shatter their alliance. How far can Àn’yīng trust Yù’chén and still win the Trials?

I absolutely loved The Scorpion and the Night Blossom! Amélie Wen Zhao is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to begin this new series. The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is filled with lush details, action-packed scenes, and lovable characters. Àn’yīng’s dedication to her family and her fierce fighting abilities make her a compelling heroine. I adored the romance between Àn’yīng and Yù’chén! Every time they were on the page together, I couldn’t put the book down! The realm of the immortals was fascinating and I enjoyed the immersive sensory details.

Readers who love beautiful romance, vivid world-building, and intricate fantasy will love this book. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!

Thank you so much to Amélie Wen Zhao, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Wow!! This book is one of my favorite read in 2025 so far! I love Àn’yīng and Yù’chén’s banter and their push and pull. I also love a good Chinese fantasy read, so I had a lot of fun reading this book.

It has romance and fantasy tropes and that’s my vibe! The overall premise isn’t original (trials, falling for your enemy, etc). At first, reading the synopsis, I thought it was just like The Serpent and the Wings of Night. Both follow a typical trail/enemy-to-ally-to-lovers storyline, so keep that in mind. I was disappointed in Àn’yīng’s prejudices with the mo/demons and know that’s the point. Her perceptions are constantly challenged as she meets other characters and grows close with Yù’chén. I’m looking forward to Àn’yīng becoming a stronger fighter, because who doesn’t love a badass FMC?

Overall, I am obsessed with this book and the characters. I cannot wait for the sequel and see how their story ends!

Book: 4.5
Spice: 2

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's and Delacorte Press for the eARC! I always appreciate it.