✨ BOOK RECOMMENDATION ✨

“The brightest and most beautiful flowers are the most poisonous.”

Filled with lush storytelling and vivid imagery, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is not only stunning with its stenciled edges and gorgeous cover; it electrifies you with a unique and beautiful story that was hard to put down.

Here are my top 5 reasons you should read this:

✨ inspired by Asian mythology
✨ deadly yet thrilling trials
✨ swoony romantasy
✨ diversity representation
✨ Throne of Glass vibes

This cover does NOT disappoint!
Amelie Wen Zhao is an autobuy author for me - I have her release dates on my calendar! And I pre-order without reading anything.
The audiobook consumed me - the rich family history, lore and legends, fight for humanity, diversity and racism, family obligations, romance.
I am already counting down to the next book!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Delacorte Press for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up!

TL;DR: This YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology was fast-paced, action-packed, and beautifully written—it's perfect for fans of wuxia/xianxia stories. The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a story about family, fate and rebellion. The author’s lyrical prose and gorgeous world-building will have you feeling immersed in these pages full of horrifying demonic creatures, beautifully cruel immortals, and delightful mythological creatures. I found Àn’Yīng admirable and relatable, I was invested in the ‘Rome and Juliet-esque’ romance, and I was gripped by the twists and turns that came at the end. I had to put the book down to take a breather at one point because everything seemed to happen all at once and I was not ready?! And I loved it. Is it too soon to ask for the next book? 😬

From the opening lines to the very end of this book, AWZ’s beautifully lyrical prose and stunningly vivid world-building will have you feeling fully immersed in the story. There’s something about the author’s writing that makes it so easy to picture all of the scenes unfolding like a movie before my eyes. Being able to do this made me feel so much more absorbed in the story. I appreciated that AWZ doesn’t waste time with slowly setting up the scene in the beginning and the action kicks off immediately. From the go, it’s apparent that this is a dangerous world where hell spawn roam freely and you could die just as easily as you could take your next breath. As Àn’Yīng sets off for the Kingdom in the Sky, leaving her mother and sister behind, you can feel how tense and high-stakes the situation is and just how badly she wants to win the deadly trials.

Àn’Yīng was a fierce MC and there’s no questioning her dedication and willingness to do anything for her family. Due to the war and resulting loss of her parents, she needed to grow up faster than any child should, as she not only had to care for herself and her baby sister but she also took responsibility for ensuring her village’s safety. She’s an admirable young woman who made countless sacrifices for her family. She’s driven by her anger and disgust towards the mo but she also uses her fear as fuel to stoke that anger and propel her forward.

She develops unlikely friendships including a trio of halflings viewed as abominations by mortals, as well as Yù’Chén, who ends up being a central character in her story. He intrigued me immensely and I ended up loving his character. There’s just something about a fierce warrior type who seems invulnerable to so much, yet wears his emotional vulnerability so close to the surface, and seeing these seemingly perfect characters yearn for acceptance and love just hits me in the feels! Sure, I was questioning his motives but I was also reeled in by the softer side he rarely presented.

The one thing that I wish had been done better was the character development for everyone. It would’ve been nice to see more of Àn’Yīng’s growth as someone who can fend for herself without having to be repeatedly rescued. That’s not to say she didn’t know how to fight because she’s a baddie with a warrior heart and I loved seeing her wield her magic daggers. I guess I just wanted to see more of her training and how she learns to harness qi better. Also, as much as I understand why the main love interest wasn’t further developed, I would’ve loved to see more varied interactions with Àn’Yīng. Their scenes ended up feeling a bit formulaic but it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of their romance as I liked their push and pull. It’s complex and angsty, and as certain things are revealed, there’s an increasing sense of “doomed love” and “star-crossed lovers” vibes that I was here for! 😂 I will say this pushed into possible love triangle territory, although the other connection gave a strong ‘platonic’/unrequited vibe. I wasn’t keen since it’s my least fave trope but I’ve noticed that romances in wuxia/xianxia tend to be very dramatic and tragic! This is *obviously* all guesses and who knows what direction AWZ will take this—all I hope is that it’s going to be angsty AF and serve the emotional turmoil that leads to a satisfying end. I was screaming “HOLY FIREBALLS OF ANGST” for the last 10-15% of this so I think AWZ will deliver!

Overall, I had a freaking good time reading this and I’m already so excited for the next book which is honestly a bit tragic seeing as how this book has (by now) just been published. 🥲 I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the sequel cos I need to see how everything will unfold!

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom was such a fun read! I really liked the trials aspect of things. And Àn’yīng is a great main character. She had a lot to deal with- the death of her father, her mother being half soulless, leaving her sister, her being the only one who can do this quest- and you can tell that there was a lot on her mind with some of the times that she went back and forth in her decisions and wasn’t super decisive. That’s what, in my opinion, made her a better main character than in some other books where the main character was all of a sudden this amazing warrior who always knows what to do. I felt as though the trials were done really well and the overall action in this book was done really well. I’m probably biased because I’ve liked all of the Amélie Wen Zhao books that I’ve read so far, but I thought that the writing was well done and I really enjoyed the pacing as well. Overall, this was a great book.

This is the best type of fantasy! I don’t think I can quite put into words.
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
Amélie Wen Zhao‘s writing is captivating. She knows how to pull the reader into a magnificent and intriguing place.
The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb.
The attention to details in her writing really set the scene and tone.

Thank you to Amelie Wen Zhao, Netgalley, and Random House for a copy of an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like fantasy-centric Asian dramas? Do you like stabby FMCs with a backbone and a compelling backstory? Do you like MMCs in a love triangle that are polar opposites of each other, but are each a solid match with the FMC? Then The Scorpion and the Night Blossom might be for you.

The story follows a mortal named Anying and her journey to the immortal realm for the immortality trials: a set of trials that, if she completes, grants her a pill that could save the life of her sickly mother. Along the way, she teams up with a half mortal named Yuchen, a mysterious man with a sharp tongue and his own mysterious past. But when unexpected deaths begin to occur across the immortal realm, Anying also finds herself entangled with Haoyang, an immortal realm noble who is linked to some of the answers that she see seeks.

I absolutely loved the worldbuilding in this narrative. The lush descriptions of various environments and elaborate details of lore were integrated seamlessly throughout the story. The plot engaged me from beginning to end, blending fast-paced scenes with slower moments to progress through romantic developments. And, even though the story is marketed as a romantasy, I enjoyed how the romance and plot were equally balanced.

I do hope to see more of Anying being able to defeat enemies on her own (she needs more than a couple wins), as well as the narrative to expand on more of the side characters (please give me more Haoyang spotlight). Nonetheless, I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a romantasy book that doesn't lean too much into spice to craft a love story and a fantasy world inspired by non-Eurocentric mythology.

✨ A Dark and Enchanting Fantasy of Betrayal, Survival, and Forbidden Bonds ✨

The Scorpion and the Night Bloom is a stunningly immersive fantasy filled with rich world-building, deadly trials, and an enemies-to-lovers romance brimming with tension. In a world ravaged by war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers, Àn’yīng is willing to risk everything to save her mother’s soul—even if it means entering the Immortality Trials, a ruthless competition where survival is not guaranteed.

Armed with her crescent blades and the weight of vengeance, Àn’yīng is a force to be reckoned with, but her path is riddled with danger—not just from the trials themselves, but from Yù’chén, an enigmatic rival whose motives are unclear. As their fates intertwine, so do their emotions, leading to a slow-burning, complex relationship that constantly teeters between trust and betrayal.

The atmosphere is dark and opulent, weaving together ancient magic, high-stakes action, and an exploration of fate, loyalty, and power. The writing is poetic yet sharp, pulling you into a world where every choice carries devastating consequences. With breathtaking plot twists and morally complex characters, this book is a must-read for fans of lush, high-stakes fantasy and slow-burn romance.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the opportunity to read the amazing adventure of Àn’yīng and Yù’chén.

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7368976039

👩‍💻 INSTAGRAM REVIEW: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGzBE0LzmMZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.com/2025/03/03/arc-review-the-scorpion-and-the-night-blossom/

⌨️ AMAZON REVIEW: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2IGMJY4GI018H/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

💻 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kinanahmanalao_arc-review-the-scorpion-and-the-nightblossom-activity-7302040569923416064-PEak?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADZadkYB6kcp2SMdCiCoSdnI_IRLHncLwvs

Thank you, Netgalley and Harper Voyager UK, for providing me with a free copy of The Scorpion and the Night Bloom in exchange for my honest review.

Maybe I could have loved him without knowing it would burn down the world. But meeting the right person at the wrong time, the right love in the wrong life, is a tragedy written from the start." I'M NOT CRYING !!!!!! (yes i am)

This novel is the first installment in The Three Realms, a dark romantic fantasy series by Amélie Wen Zhao. In it, we follow Àn’yīng in her quest to survive the Immortality Trials to obtain a cure that could save her mother and restore her soul.

In this world, the Kingdom of Nights (demons) invaded the Kingdom of Rivers (humans) and have slowly taken everything from them. Every day is a fight for survival, but Àn’yīng has an additional goal: to get revenge on the High Demon who consumed her father's soul and half of her mother's soul years ago.

In this deadly competition, she meets Yù’chén, a person she can’t decide whether to trust, yet their paths seem to keep crossing, and they can't stay away from each other. A kind of friendship blossoms, but doubt always clouds their relationship. Yù’chén is my favorite character. He’s so multi-dimensional—mysterious yet compelling—that you can’t help but fall for him a little. Throughout the entire book, the author does an excellent job of making you doubt him while also gaining your trust, which mirrors the internal struggle Àn’yīng feels toward him. I loved their interactions and chemistry; they complemented each other perfectly, and there was so much tension. I literally held my breath a few times during the story.

The slow burn was beautifully slow, and it was the sweetest thing I’ve read in a while. We get some kind of friends-to-lovers-to-ennemies and I'M HERE FOR IT. LOVE IT.

"If I were playing games with you, I would be so much crueler. I would make you beg. I'm teaching you now so you don't have to beg anyone ever again. Including me."

I also loved Àn’yīng’s undying loyalty to her family, but she could be frustrating at times. I could understand her actions, but I couldn't help but think she could have seen things differently, which made it a bit harder to connect with that aspect of her character.

THE PLOT TWISTS!!! I didn’t see any of them coming. I'm still in shock—I was literally staring at my Kindle for a solid minute when I finished, while my brain tried to process everything. That said, I feel like we were told Àn’yīng was stronger than she actually was, which made some of the "fight" scenes fall a little flat. It's hinted that she is or will become a very strong and important character, but we don’t really get to see that strength. I think the fact that she’s saved by the MMC or other characters almost every time makes her seem weak.

The Chinese culture incorporated in this story was captivating and beautifully written. The writing itself is descriptive and poetic, and I had no trouble picturing the surroundings, the demons, and more. I absolutely loved it.

I will say, though, that the beginning was a bit too slow. I struggled to get into it at first and felt bored until she crossed paths with Yù’chén.

Overall, this was an incredible read. The only things that would have made it a 5-star book for me are a faster start and showing, rather than telling, the FMC's strength. Aside from that, it was a beautifully written book with compelling characters and a captivating world, where the plot twists truly take your breath away.

This is my first time reading Amelie's writing, and it flows smoothly and fits the setting of the world. An'ying is a woman on a mission with high stakes as her mother continues to deteriorate day after day. The competition trope with the immortal trials are interesting since there's an Asian twist to it reminiscent of C-dramas.

I really enjoyed this story. I thought that the world was really lush and compelling, and I enjoyed that it was inspired by Chinese folklore. The plot, for me, was a little predictable in that it relied on fantasy story topes in a sort of "typical" way. But, I don't think that it made the story bad by any means--the characters, the romantic subplot and the setting were all great. I will say, though, that trials as a plot device are becoming a bit...eh, for me. Especially because unless the trials are really woven in, in a meaningful way, they can really throw the pacing off like they did in this book--We spend so much time on the first trial. I liked the romance, and I liked the characters, and overall this was a really solid novel!

This book was everything I needed in a romantic fantasy. I don't know if this book is considered a romantasy or just a fantasy with a romantic subplot, but whatever it was I loved it. I rated it 4.5/5.

Àn’yīng is our main character, and it was so easy to enjoy reading from her POV. She is a practitioner, and has been protecting her village from demons for most of her life, while her mother slowly dies. She sets out to compete in the Immortal Trials in order to find a cure for her mother, which are trials held by the gods in a different realm. As a character, she was flawed, but it was clear where her flaws came from and she grew as the book progressed.

I loved the scenery of this book. The world was truly beautiful, and even a month after I've read this book, certain scenes are stuck in my head because of how beautiful they are. The dancing on water scene is my absolute favorite in this book.

The rival contestant, Yù’chén, is such a great MMC. He's sweet, helpful, and thoughtful, and I really enjoyed their romance throughout the trails. Certain aspects of his backstory were easy to predict, but it was fun to look for more hints that I was right as the story progressed. And the way he was introduced was great.

While some plot elements in this book were easy to predict, I found that it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book itself. I've been a fan of Amelie Wen Zhao, and this book has cemented this author as someone I will always read from. I'm anxiously awaiting book 2 in this series, and I really think that if you are someone looking for a great fantasy with a great romance alongside it, this is the book for you.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom is a  fantasy world inspired by Chinese folklore. Àn’yīng, the FMC enters the perilous Immortality Trials to save her ailing mother. Zhao's descriptions bring to life opulent visuals that enhance the immersive experience, but I wish she wrote in more world building.  The novel incorporates familiar tropes of the fantasy genre. Some plot developments felt predictable to me as someone who read a lot of fantasy books. The pacing of the book was off. Why was so much of the book dedicated to the first trail? Despite this, The Scorpion and the Night Blossom delivers a compelling adventure that balances romance, danger, and self-discovery, making it a worthy addition to any fantasy lover's collection.

This new book was written for c-drama fans and it is perfect for those who enjoy dreamy magical settings with fast paced plot and drama unfolding. The book follows our demon assassin as she goes on a quest to join a magical competition to save her mother’s soul. She meets a mysteriously powerful competitor who wants to ally with her to join the games. The main character is dorky and awkward while the main character is confident and charming. They have comedic moments and a few steamy ones. I did enjoy the enemies to lovers romance - it had flirty banter, forced proximity and fun pet names.

I loved this mystical world that the story takes place in where there is magic that helps you run on water and enchanted objects to help you fight. I thought world building was pretty well developed for a ya book and I loved discovering more of it. The world setting was a beautiful backdrop for the fast moving action filled plot. There were quite a few fun twists in this book that is perfect for drama fans.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Asian dramas and enemies to lovers romance.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Overall a 4.5 stars for me - it was incredible and I cannot wait for the next in the series!

I’ve loved every book I’ve read so far by Amelie Wen Zhao, her writing is ethereal, descriptive and poignant. The atmosphere is ethereal and enchanting in this world, while also having harsh and brutal dangers. I enjoy her stories and her characters immensely. They are often bittersweet and relatable all at the same time, somehow. This first of a series was no exception!

We follow our FMC An’ying and her family, and some important characters we meet along the way through the Immortal Trials, as she tries to save her mothers soul. There are many secrets that get unveiled and many twists and turns in the plot. Some that I saw coming and some that I would have never guessed. The romance in the book is strong, the yearning is there for one of the MMCs (who I wont reveal yet!) and there is definitely an enemies-lovers back and forth within our FMC. The plot tied up nicely at the end but still left a lot more for the next books in the series - can’t wait to get my hands on the second book!

I love the characters in this story and the different realms, it reads like a good vs evil story but as we know nothing is ever that simple. There is a lot of growth for our FMC An’ying, especially in how she acquires knowledge of all the secrets that surround her and confronts her prejudices and preconceived notions of the world and the way it functions. I really enjoyed how multi-faceted this character is and can’t wait to learn more and read more this story.

Overall I really enjoyed this story, the spice rating was there but it was low, and the plot and its twists and turns were very enjoyable for me!

I don't know what I expected when I started this book but it took me on one heck of a journey and I loved every moment of it. This book is so much fun to read and the characters are amazing. Looking forward to more books by Amelie.

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the eARc for an exchange for my honest review.
I really loved this book as an Asian fantasy and Chinese drama enthusiast. The concept of the 3 realms (Sky, River, and Night) was especially unique in this book's fantasy world. The worldbuilding was very good making it seem as if I was watching a xianxia Chinese drama with the mó (demons) and xian (immortals)

I absolutely loved the relationship between Àn yīng and Yùchén. The chemistry is SO SO GOOD. After she discovered what he was , Àn yīng became wary and mistrustful of him, seeing him as an enemy. However, despite this, there was still an unexplainable connection and attraction she felt towards him. The extent to which Yùchén protected her even when she doubted him only made her feel even more conflicted and made their relationship more interesting. The connection between them was full of tension and pining, creating a slow-burn romance that had me hooked. Their relationship gave off 'right person wrong time vibes' which is one of my absolute favorite tropes especially combined with enemies to lovers! There was one particular scene that had me gasping and nearly squealing.

Individually, I really loved An yīng's character a lot! She is capable of protecting herself with her blades and is an absolute badass. I love her resilience and her determination to protect her family. As for Yùchén, while I did like his character, I didn't find him as interesting as the female lead. This most likely has to do with the fact that it is her perspective and we don't really get to see or read into Yùchén's thoughts and feelings. I'm hoping in the next book, there will be a dual POV. I would love to learn more about Yùchén's background!

To conclude my review, I had a really good time reading this book. If you're looking for a book with a unique fantasy world, rich worldbuilding, political intrigue, forbidden enemies to lovers, this book is for you. I definitely highly recommend it!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press. I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all opinions are my own.

Genre: Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Asian Literature, Asian Fantasy, Romantasy
Spice level: There is full on spice on the page

Fans of Asian fantasy are going to devour THE SCORPION AND THE NIGHT BLOSSOM!

Here's why:

Creepy vibes
Vampire-like creature/demons that will eat you
A quest
A legacy
Family secrets
Love interests
Betrayal
Gods and Goddesses
Immortal realm
Politics

If you loved books like Immortal or Daughter of the Moon Goddess, this book is your jam, but remember, it's spicy.

Happy reading!

I always have to preface my fantasy reviews with the fact that I am not the biggest fantasy reader.... like, for as much as I try, it's a commitment I struggle with because I know GREAT fantasy reads typically (but I know not always) must include very robust and dense world-building— which, again, is a commitment I wish but cannot always readily connect with. That being said.... I LOVED this book! It immediately absorbed me into its orbit what with its opulent and rich setting; Zhao's lovely style of prose; and a solid mixture of angst, romance, darkness, and goodness all wrapped up into one satisfying read. The twists and turns throughout didn't feel forced or out of the blue, and I like how part of this journey for us, as readers, is following Àn’yīng as she acknowledges and works to unlearn the hatred/bigotry she [understandably] feels towards *all* demons, and how both the traumatic experience she and her family had, coupled with her later, more complex entanglement with Yù’chén during the trials, affects her mentally and her relationships with those around her. The only thing I'm sad about is that I didn't realize it was a duology (LOL my bad; I probably did know though and just forgot), so now I just have to patiently wait until the final installment. 5/5, a true winner for me!

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyecd this story overall.

I loved the Chinese culture and mythology woven into the story as well as the names of the characters. The plot was dramatic in its flow. I struggled to stay attached to the story in sections, and other sections were so engaging that I struggled to put the book down to do adulty things like work and sleep.

There is no foul language and only one spicy scene. (Yes, it has an open door scene!)

I had a great time with this book! It’s making me wonder if I need to start looking at C-dramas because if I’m enjoying books that are inspired by those shows, then maybe it’ll be my way to get back into watching TV again. 🤔

The story follows Àn’yīng, a young woman who is struggling to survive in a world taken over by demons while taking care of her little sister and comatose mother. I really enjoyed her perseverance and devotion to her loved ones while still remaining steadfast to her goals and dreams. I also liked that she was able to work past her prejudices of yāo’jīng, halflings, and see them as beings with hearts and emotions instead of just mindless and soulless creatures. This sadly didn’t extend to a certain character which really irked me for a good portion of the book, and while I understand her reluctance to accept this character, I still wanted to just shake some sense into her hypocrisy ever so often. 😮‍💨

Àn’yīng’s budding relationship with Yù’chén was the star of this book for me. I loved their banter and the yearning that they both try to ignore without any success. Zhao is quickly becoming a favorite of mine with the way that she writes tragic love stories in these beautiful Chinese inspired worlds. I guess I’m just a sucker to tragic love or doomed relationships. 🥲

The ending is fast paced and man there was a point where I was hoping that Àn’yīng and Yù’chén could get a point to catch their breath. The reveals also felt like they were coming one after another without any pause, so be prepared to be rather bombarded in the best way possible! 🤯

All in all, I loved this new world and group of characters that Zhao has crafted here. I’m already desperate for the sequel and can’t wait to see how Zhao rips my heart out with these two. Huge thank you goes out to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review. And to Zhao for once again crafting such a beautiful world and lovable group of characters; I hope I’m prepared for the sequel. 😅

Publication date: March 4!

Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️