A Solid Read with a Surprising (and Refreshing) Ending

This book was a pretty engaging read—solidly average, but not in a bad way. I’m definitely intrigued enough to check out the second book. I went in expecting a love triangle (which I usually hate), and while it seemed like the story was heading that way, I was honestly relieved it didn’t go there. Good riddance—men are overrated anyway.

I actually really appreciated the way the author chose to end things. It felt intentional and fitting, even if it wasn’t the romantic resolution some might expect. While I didn’t feel deeply connected to the characters or the story on an emotional level, that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. Sometimes, it’s not about seeing yourself in the characters—it’s about recognizing others through them. And in that sense, the book still resonated.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc.

this is essentially a retelling of mulan except the enemies are the romans, and vampires(?).

i’ve read this author’s debut and was not necessarily intrigued by the writing or plot, and so while i was intrigued by her sophomore novel, i was hesitantly so. i just don’t think this author is for me.

at least my fairyloot edition is pretty.

Fei destined to be the empress of all empresses' is torn between her head an her heart. Plauged by visions of a blood filled future she must do whatever she can to protect the ones she loves. However not everything is as it seems and the good guys might not actually be good. I really enjoyed reading this story and I am upset that its a series and I have to wait for the next installment! Going along Fei's journey as she tried to out run her fate. The two princes that are after her heart, but will either of them ever make choices that aren't selfish? The action, magic and worldbuilding were very good and had me not wanting to put the book down. The inclusion of vampires???? I hope in the next book we are able to learn more about the ins and outs of what that means in this world.

What shocked and impressed me the most about this book is that normally I will avoid any story that has any hint that there will be a love triangle, I can't stand them. I am glad I did not let this stop me from reading this book because not once did it bother me. I loved that the romance, while Fei didn't ignore it, it wasn't the main focus of the book. (I have to say I will be forever rooting for Yexue to not f things up and actually be decent because Siwang can kick rocks.)

My only critique is that I really wish that this was an adult series instead of YA. It has the making of being more epic if it was able to do more with the adult category. The stakes were high in this story and the future is in the balance. Itching for book 2 to be released asap.

In The Nightblood Prince, Molly X. Chang pens a tale that slices through imperial pageantry to reveal a heart pulsing with rebellion, grief, and longing. It is a YA fantasy of rare beauty. Its prose as sharp as it is lush and characters embroidered with depth and dimension.

This is Fei’s story, but it begins with everyone else's claim on her.

Born in a land smoldering with war and ceremony, Fei is shackled from her first breath. Foretold to be the “empress of all empresses,” she is betrothed in infancy to Crown Prince Siwang, a fate that gilds her cage with destiny’s name. I was the Empress-to-be, she reflects, but an Empress still has to bend to the will of a man. In Rong, women are not raised but sculpted into offerings. For the existence of women was to serve men. A thought that made my blood boil. Fei’s rage is not silent. It simmers and finally strikes.

There are echoes of Mulan in this narrative’s bones, but Chang doesn’t offer us heroism dressed in armor and honor. She gives us something thornier and more real: A girl who seeks to save her nation and escape its claim over her body and soul.

Fei’s journey into the wintry mountains to slay a tiger and bargain for her freedom reads like myth until it unspools into something darker. There, she confronts Lan Yexue, the vampire prince held hostage by the Empire her name sustains. Their meeting is a collision of blood, fate, and unexpected tenderness. She saves him. He heals her. Their connection is a sort of resistance that bleeds off the pages.

Chang’s world is soaked in supernatural danger full of Seer magic and blood-binding rituals, but it is the mundane cruelties that linger. The Emperor wields Fei’s prophecy like a sword waging wars in her name. Rong waved this banner and waged war in my name. But when was the last time my voice was heard in all of this? Fei's voice is currency spent freely by men who never listen.

Her betrothed, Siwang, is a boy-shaped contradiction. Kind in childhood to Fei, and gentle in his quiet way, but power warps even the softest edges. Fei aches with uncertainty. Does he love her, or only the woman who will make him king? To Fei Siwang's love will always taste like possession.

The tension between Fei and Lan Yexue is threaded with more than desire. It is self-recognition. In him she sees that monsters are not always born. Some are made. Some wear crowns.

As the war between Rong and Lan intensifies, Fei dons a man’s armor and becomes her family's and her own savior. At the war camp, the illusion of nobility dissolves. There are no good emperors. All tyrants are the same. There are only rulers who are more benevolent than others.> Here, Chang dismantles the myth of war as honor. It is not magic or vampires that haunt these pages, but the carnage of ego.

Instead they waged wars for pride and greed, and passed these human lives from one rapacious hand to another. The seed of every conflict is always greed.

The final act of Fei’s story does not offer clean triumph. The prophecy fulfills itself but with a bitter aftertaste. Her victory is still hung like a medal on a man’s chest. Yet, in the margins, something vital blooms. Fei’s voice is finally heard.

Chang writes covertly fierce heroines that whisper their resistance until the world is quiet enough to listen. The Nightblood Prince is a war song, but it is also a lament and a love letter to girlhood defiant and bruised. Beneath its glittering fantasy lies the stark truth that all women deserve to be seen, heard, and free.

Yet, just as resonant, is its unflinching portrayal of war’s cruelty as a grinding weight borne by those with the least power. While the architects of conflict remain untouched, it is the common people who bleed, grieve, and endure. Chang reminds us that even in fantasy the cost of war is real, and that true resistance is to survive, remember, and refuse to be silenced.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was like Mulan meets The Vampire Diaries but with its own twist. There’s political intrigue, a lush fantasy world, and of course, vampires. The atmosphere was darkly romantic in a way that kept me turning pages late into the night.

One thing I really loved was how the story leaned into the theme of women making their own choices. The heroine isn’t defined by the men around her, and her arc is centered on carving her own path rather than simply falling into the roles expected of her. That said, I found myself conflicted over her constant inner battle—she kept saying she loved the prince yet insisted she needed to be her own person. While I appreciate that independence, it was hard to reconcile since the prince was so willing to give her everything.

Overall, The Nightblood Prince is a strong start to what I hope will be an epic series. Fans of dark fantasy romance with morally gray characters and a heroine who fights for her own identity will love this one.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to RHC and Netgalley for an e-ARC of The Nightblood Prince!

I have similar feelings to The Nightblood Prince as I did with Chang’s other novel, To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods, which is I found there to be a whole lot of build up and time lapses to progress the book. While it made it slightly hard to follow along, I do also understand that Chang is setting a foundation for the next book (assuming there will be a book two with that cliffhanger).

I honestly loved the FMC, Fei, and her drive to not be controlled by men. As someone whose life has been written by a prophecy since birth, Fei is determined to write her own fate. I love how Fei was such a strong-willed character, because even through her mistakes, she continued to stay strong and create her own path not controlled by a prophecy, nation, or men.

“Why should gods and emperors be the ones to decide my fate? Why should my voice sound the quietest in this crowded room of men, set in dictating every aspect of my existence?”

My main complaint is how much the book focused more on the romance instead of building upon the lore or backstories. I’m hoping in book two we’ll get to learn more about Fei and Lan’s powers, the vampires, and the overall setting of the world. I also can’t wait to see how the two love interests play out, the politics, and the answers Fei discovers on her search for learning more about her prophecy.

“Before you, I had never thought it possible to defy my destiny. Now it is all I think about. To defy the gods who think themselves worthy of dictating my life.”

The Nightblood Prince Is an exciting fantasy story with a prophecy foretelling of a chosen empress who will unite all the kingdoms. Fei, the chosen one, has to chose between two princes and fights gallantly to protect her family and her kingdom. The story is fun and adventurous. I was expecting more vampires and less Mulan, but it was a a great read. The world building was immensely detailed and the characters were loveable. I would definitely read another book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Random House Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

The Nightblood Prince follows Fei, prophesied at birth to become the Empress of All Empresses, as she is caught up in a war between two rival princes,

There were a lot of things I loved about The Nightblood Prince, especially as a romantasy. I found myself genuinely conflicted at parts between the two male love interests -- both are deeply, deeply flawed and endearing in their own rights -- and there were some delicious tropey moments that hit just right. The overarching political turmoil of the world was pretty interesting, though I could have honestly done with even more detail and attention to that piece, and the magic system -- and vampires!! -- had me glued to the page.

There are some moments, though, that I did really struggle with. Fei was an interesting character to me at the beginning, and certainly was changed by the end, but there was a lot of the middle of the story where she often felt less like a character and more like a puppet. Siwang and Yexue also had their less-than-real moments, but since we were in Fei's head, I found myself struggling mostly with some of her development. I also felt like there were moments where the narrative was so limited by her perspective, I felt disconnected from the world at large. I think this can be a useful tool in a character's overall arc, especially as they grapple with their own perception of truth, but as a lot of this characterization didn't land for me, this disconnect also ended up feeling like a bit of a sore spot.

Overall, though, I thought the trajectory of this story was really interesting, and I'm already anxiously awaiting a sequel!

The Nightblood Prince was both epic and brilliant. I was so enraptured by this book- I ended up reading it one day! The characters and the world were excellently crafted. I truly loved and hated both love interests- which I don’t believe I’ve ever done before while reading! I can’t even begin to tell you how much of an emotional rollercoaster Molly X Chang took me on- I laughed, cried, swooned, cried again, sat on the edge of my seat freaking out a little bit.. honestly, this was a perfect read for me.

This story driven by prophecy and political was a nail biter. I was on the edge of my seat, absolutely captivated right from the beginning. While I wasn’t sure what to think of the Crown Prince at the beginning of the story, the reader feels that his love for Fei is true, especially when despite being able to keep her should he wish to, he allows her her freedom. Fei remains true to her strong character from page one until the very last line of the book. The love triangle in this book is very well written. Both Siwang and Yuexe are interesting potential love interests with their own winning and morally grey characteristics. While the reader can see that there is love for Fei, one can also not deny the selfishnesses in their desires as well.
So much of the plot moving forward is based on personal and political gain. I really enjoyed the Mulan-like twist, which was expected because of who Fei is, but even more entertaining is the vampire and dark magic aspect of the story. I am very curious as to how this story will move forward and really want to know more about what the prophecy entails. I really liked that in the end of this book, Fei did what was best for the people and not for one prince or the other - she bows down to no man and is in search of her own destiny.
I recommend this book to all fantasy lovers, especially if you are looking for one with a strong female lead that you will be rooting for throughout and does not take her lead from the men in her life.
Many thanks to Random House Children’s via Penguin Teen Canada and NetGalley for an early digital copy of the book. The opinion expressed are given freely and are honest and my own.

The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang was a book I picked up because the summary grabbed my attention. It is the first book I've read by this author and I have to say, I enjoyed it. There were times where I thought the pacing dragged a bit but the writing was good and the story kept me interested.

Fei is our fmc and we find out that when she was born, she was taken from her family and raised in the palace to marry the Crown Prince and become the Empress of all Empresses based on a prophecy. Because of this, she has been separated from her family and forced into a life she is not truly interested in. When she sees an opportunity to bargain her way out of this situation by hunting down a legendary tiger, everything changes for her.

There are two different princes in this book and I'm not really sure I liked either of them. First there is Siwang, the Crown Prince she is destined to marry. He clearly loves Fei and is willing to do whatever she wants him to but he is also determined to do everything he can to show his father that he is ready to rule his kingdom. He does some shady things that just don't put him in a good position with Fei.

Then you have Yexue.. From the start he challenges her and tries to get her to see him for who he is. When he finally escapes the Emperor's kingdom and gets back to his kingdom, he finally has access to his magic and can build an army and when Fei sees him next, he is a very different person. Going head-to-head with Siwang and the Emperor, Yexue's army of vampires is difficult to beat.

Fei truly goes on a journey here going from pampered royal, empress to be to a wanderer to eventually a soldier in the royal army. While the princes have a pivotal part in Fei's story, this book is really about her and how she changed her path. Overall, I enjoyed this book but as I mentioned, there were times that I felt the story dragged a bit. Other than that, the story kept me interested and turning the pages. If you're looking for a YA fantasy to pick up, consider this one.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book. Love triangle, Mulan vibes, and vampires...a strange mix. However, I love Chinese folklore and stories based on it. Can't wait for the next book! Highly entertaining!

The Nightblood Prince was a superb surprise—much better than I expected. As a debut, it does a great job laying the groundwork for a vivid world and intriguing characters, with strong buildup that left me wanting more. It definitely feels like the start of something bigger, and I’m really excited for the next book. The writing gave off soft Sue Lynn Tan vibes—lyrical, immersive, and full of promise.

when fei was born, she was prophesied to one day become the empress of all empresses. this led to her being taken from her family and raised in the palace to one day marry the crown prince of the most powerful empire. desperate to escape her loneliness and find her freedom, she sets out to hunt a legendary tiger…and soon falls into the mercy of another prince. torn between two princes and plagued by nightmares of bloodshed, she begins to question whether it really is possible to outrun destiny.

i really enjoyed molly x. chang’s to gaze upon wicked gods, so i was very excited to read another of her books! this did not lack the compelling writing style or plot twists i was expecting going in. i also enjoyed the love triangle, as both love interests were so different and had their own pros and cons. i loved when the vampires were introduced, as that’s one of my favorite kinds of creatures, and the way the vampires played into the story was pretty interesting!

overall, this was an enjoyable book. i’m looking forward to the sequel!

I was intrigued by the concept of a romantasy Mulan retelling with vampires. It was hard for me to get into the story initially due to grammar and editing issues that I hope were fixed by the time this novel was published. I appreciated the use of Chinese characters with translated text. Some of the internal thoughts came across as abruptly contradictory rather than Fei feeling conflicted. I wanted to like this more than I did but I'm hoping the prose and the dialogue will improve with the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC.

“The Nightblood Prince” by Molly X. Chang offers a dynamic blend of romance, political intrigue, vampires, and high-stakes situations. With a fresh and imaginative storyline, it’s a standout addition to the romantasy genre. Readers who enjoy vampire lore, Kpop drams, and love-triangle narratives will enjoy the emotional intensity and dramatic pacing. If recommending this title to teen readers, be advised that it contains open-door romantic scenes that may not be suitable for younger YA readers.
Thank you to NetGallery and Random House Children's for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

"Two princes. One prophecy. And a girl born to change the world." Need I say more? The Nightblood Prince is an intoxicating, heart-wrenching whirlwind of palace intrigue, vampire magic, slow-burn romance, and destiny written in starlight—and I am utterly feral over it.

Fei is the kind of heroine you feel in your bones—raised in golden cages, made of steel beneath silk, and haunted by a prophecy that crowned her before she ever had a choice. Her journey from obedient royal pawn to a fierce force of her own is nothing short of epic. And when she crosses paths with Yexue—the exiled prince with shadows in his veins and fangs in his smile? Instant obsession. Yexue is danger incarnate, and yet every scene with him pulses with longing, tension, and quiet vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Fei’s bond with the Crown Prince is complicated, charged, and layered in history and obligation. It’s not just a love triangle—it’s a collision of duty, desire, and survival. Every relationship in this book hums with power and pain, and Molly X. Chang doesn’t let you look away for a second.

🩸 Vampiric lore, divine prophecies, royal court games, and one girl destined to shatter it all—this book is beautifully brutal, unapologetically romantic, and filled with writing that feels like poetry carved in obsidian.

“Beautifully written and brimming with defiance” — Xiran Jay Zhao was right. This book dares to give us heroines with teeth, magic with consequences, and love that doesn’t always come easy—but burns all the brighter for it.
🌘 5/5 stars – The Nightblood Prince is lush, lyrical, and laced with blood and betrayal. For fans of Iron Widow, The Shadows Between Us, and To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods (of course!), this is your next obsession.

Vampires, a love triangle, enemies to lover, magic and monsters.. there is SO much to love about this book.

This book was giving me very much c-drama vibes (LOVE THAT) and while I do not usually like love triangles, this one did not bother me. Not one bit.

While I do wish there was a teeny bit more romance in it, the story itself was engaging and had me enthralled, and was very well-written. The character development was great and I loved how my perspective changed over the course of the book.

Overall 10/10.

This book was a good start for this series and while I wasn’t blown away by the writing or story, it kept me entertained. Fei, our FMC, is a woman in a world run by men. She is destined to marry the crown prince and fulfill a prophecy. However, she wishes to determine her own destiny. She becomes caught between two princes. I am not a fan of love triangle situations but this wasn’t awful to read. This book contains tropes such as enemies to lovers, touch her and die, the chosen one, magic and court intrigue. While this book didn’t wasn’t necessarily a favorite read or one I would likely reread, I think it’s a good pick for those who don’t mind love triangles and like to see strong character development. This book will give the right readers just enough to leave you curious and wanting to read more.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @20%

I... Are you actually kidding me?

Literally did not give baby boy a chance at all. He offered to change the whole country, and she said, "Nope." She could have been the driving force to implement change WITH him, but did not give him a shot. The miscommunication trope done so badly. I am stunned.

Like, even if they get together in the end? Like no. Why? I'd almost be angry if they did because it seems like all this poor, dumb boy ever did was try to get to know her and give her the world. Does that mean he's entitled to her love? No. Of course not. And I'm not saying that.

However, this is an arranged marriage, taking place in a high fantasy world with a royal court dynamic. She has one of the most decent dudes (at least from her descriptions of him). He sounds like a wonderful boy who will not just be a good emperor but a good person when he grows up. And she keeps referencing this one time when they were kids, and I'm like... so... we're supposed to think he's a monster because he reacted badly to being jealous when he was under the age of 17? Did he have anyone maimed or killed? Is that why? Nope, just banished. Is that an overreaction? Yes, but still he was a kid and a spoiled prince... this could have been Much Worse when you put this in the context that the world is set in.

That being said, again, she isn't obligated to reciprocate his feelings, but here's the kicker. She does. At least it genuinely seems like she does! There are moments where it does seem like she has a romantic attachment to this boy. She has issues with the society they live in and how, eventually, their marriage might become bitter and FAIR. This is a valid concern!

HOWEVER, she is cutting off her nose to spite her face because guess what? Baby boy offers her EVERYTHING. To change the court, to give her more freedom, anything to try and win her over and do good in the process! He wants to work with her to have a future with her, and no, it isn't going to be instantly fixed, but they could have implemented changes slowly and worked towards refreshing outdated practices (WHICH THEY COULD HAVE DONE. HE MADE IT AN OPTION). She still says no, and I am baffled.

I'm trying to wrap my head around it because
a) It seems like there is a spark there, which is way more than just platonic love.
b) She wants to make the kingdom more fair for all, especially for women. (And he is up for it!!! Growing up, he was on her side and tried to give her every opportunity!)
c) She said she wanted more freedom. He panicked because she kinda dropped this on him out of nowhere, but he instantly started brainstorming what to do and how to accomplish that. So are his ideas perfect? No! But he's TRYING.

Make it make sense because I don't understand why there is a conflict here.

Maybe if he were rigid to the old way of doing things,
Maybe if he wasn't interested in giving her freedom and was willing to meet her halfway,
Maybe if she wasn't into him at all

I could get behind that! But this isn't the case? At least not from my perspective. From where I'm sitting, it seems like she's just rejecting him to go against society's expectations. There is actually a whole subplot that mentions a prophecy and her visions, but on that front? It's all tell and not show, and it's such a slow crawl getting into the meat of that plot point that I've lost interest.

I wish I had liked this more, but because the conflict is so forced I'm checking out. I'm so disappointed. That being said, the word choice and imagery of the prose were excellent so 2.5/5... It's probably someone's bread and butter, but it's not mine.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House. I'm sorry I didn't like this more... rounding up to 3 stars because of the technical writing aspects of the book.