This book may follow the first, but didn't quite live up to it. Meilin is released from prison and gets her Jade Seal back. Unfortunately, she can't quite determine what her actual goal is. It takes half the book for Meilin to get a clear objective and as a result the book lost a lot of drive. I loved the romance still, but unfortunately I didn't love the court politics over action (which there was a lot of).

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free advance copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily, and all opinions remain my own.

The story picks up after the betrayal of The Night Ends In fire. It's a worthy successor as Melin and Sky have to come to terms with what happened. She has to succumb to societal expectations and condemnation of her actions just to stay alive, but is it worth it? As she comes to grips with her new reality, she has to learn how to navigate a new battlefield: the inner palace. This is a deep look into the pressures women face, both at home and in society. Can they really ever live their own life or are they doomed to be chattel for men? I'm so invested in these characters and their story. It almost feels like I can feel what they're going through at times, the writing is so well done. I couldn't put this book down.

What an incredible follow-up to "The Night Ends With Fire"! I have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion to Meilin's story after the events of the first book, and this did not disappoint. I was immediately drawn back into Meilin's world, and I felt for her struggles trying to adapt to court life in the Imperial Palace. The pacing and action were very quick, but sometimes the plot had too much going on. We had so many betrayals going on, and at times it felt like every other chapter began with Meilin waking with iron manacles on.
I enjoyed the love triangle between Meilin, Sky, and Liu, and I LOVED how the book ended with whom Meilin chose. I also enjoyed the ending, and how Meilin finally ended up making a choice for the good of the world. Overall, I thought this was a good sequel, I just wish there had been some slower pacing at times.

Picking up right where the first book left off, the second installment did not disappoint! As soon as I started reading, I was immediately fully immersed in this world of court politics, magic, action and romance. Fast paced, heartbreaking at times and hopeful at others, I thoroughly enjoyed being along for the ride with Meilin on her journey through chaos and ruin to self-discovery and her path forward.

Many thanks to Berkley/Ace, PRHAudio, and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

OMG I AM WRECKED! All the emotions, rage, sadness, love, joy, and sorrow from the first book were taken to a whole new level in this finale. The end had me in an absolute puddle and I wish there were more pages for me to read.

Meilin really goes through the wringer here. Even once she's released from the dungeons, she's still shackled by the court and it's backstabbing and expectations. Throughout the book she fights with the dragon, her addiction to lixia, and her own greed to be recognized. Sky's love is suffocating, but she still struggles to trust Lei, and every bit of it is overwhelming and rage-inducing. And then to top it all off, the balance of the entire world is in danger.

There's a lot of action in this book too, as Meilin and some new and old allies try to mend the tears in the world. And she has to decide what the most important thing is to focus on, even as she loses more of herself each day. Her personal journey is absolutely heart wrenching. And even though romance is absolutely not the focus of these books, I really loved that subplot. In my heart I knew where this would go from the last book, and I am not mad about it at all.

There's so much here about feminist rage, the patriarchy, a woman's place, and who is recognized. All of it so damn important. The end was both healing and left me SCREAMING for more. If you loved Heart of the Sun Warrior, I think you'll love this too, even though this is way darker. But ALSO, please, KX Song, can we have an epilogue novella PLEASE!!!

Absolutely loved this duo and highly recommend.

THIS IS HOW YOU END A DUOLOGY!!!!

I loved soooo much about this book. the plight of women in a misogynist patriarchy, how women can perpetuate the patriarchy against their best interests!!!!! the cost of greed, of pride, of war. how those costs are not always paid by the perpetrators. how those without power can be corrupted by it once they have it. How those with power rarely use it for the good of everyone. How despite all of that, it’s possible to dream of a better world, and to BE that change. and that love and hope are possible and endure even in a world that so badly tries to make you give up.

this was beautiful and heartbreaking and enlightening and harrowing. It genuinely evoked so many feelings, but at the end of it I’m just really hopeful. Hopeful that we will work for a better future for all of us, and it’ll happen one day, and that when the time comes we’ll pass the baton on to those who come after us.

I selfishly wish there were a few more pages in the epilogue but I GET IT.

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy to review.

An electrifying sequel that blends revolution, romance, and heartbreak. K. X. Song’s lyrical prose and fierce characters had me hanging on every word. The stakes are higher, the emotions deeper, this book shook my heart and left me breathless for more.

"A young woman who wields the unimaginable power of a dragon spirit must decide where her loyalties lie - and where her heart belongs - in this enthralling fantasy that reimagines the legend of Mulan.

The explosive sequel to The Night Ends with Fire!

The war may be over, but Hai Meilin is still paying a heavy toll. In spite of securing victory for the kingdom of Anlai, she is imprisoned upon her return. Her crime? Wielding a sword as a woman.

In the palace, Meilin is an outcast and a social pariah. But beyond the imperial walls, the legend of the woman warrior has taken on a life of its own. To the east, a new rebel leader needs Meilin to helm his people's revolution. In the south, a former enemy prince, now a prisoner of war, seeks Meilin's aid in restoring balance to the Three Kingdoms. And back home in Anlai, Liu Sky, Meilin's commander and first love, requires Meilin by his side in his bid for the throne.

Pulled in all directions by those who seek to use her for their own ends, Meilin vows that this time, she will not be so quick to trust. Yet there is one she cannot help but listen to - for he dwells within her.

Beyond any human machinations, the sea dragon Qinglong has his own plans for the spirit realm. During the last war, Meilin wielded his power to cheat death and attain victory for Anlai; now the dragon has come to collect his dues. Meilin's mother warned her long ago: The spirits demand blood. And Qinglong is ravenous."

Specifically for my friend Huyen who is addicted to anything Mulan.

This is a great retelling of Mulan.It is the second and final installment. I loved seeing how much Meilin grew as a person in this book, she really grew up. If you only know Mulan through Disney then you really need to read this version. I do wish then ending gave us a little more of Meilin's life after everything she went through, but it was a good ending and a story definitely worth reading.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

i was pleasantly surprised by the first book, so i was eager to continue the story.

Sigh. where do i begin?
When we start the book, Meilin is being held prisoner shackled and punished for being a woman and a black magic practitioner.
Until Sky comes up with a plan to Marry her and therefore free her.

I wanted to love this so much, but the pacing dragged, and I struggled after around the 50% mark. I continued because the romance was finally building and I had to know what happened, but... i struggled through the last half of the book.
And when i turned the last page, i honestly said outloud: you have got to be kidding me.
THERE HAS TO BE MORE.

Again, I wanted more. And didn't' get it.

All in all, i give this a 3.

Thank you to Net Galley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

In this sequel to "The Night Ends With Fire", we find our heroine, Meilin imprisoned in the Royal Palace. Accused of being a black sorcerer, she has been bound with iron to prevent her from reaching her dragon spirit Quilong. As she suffers, her only hope is for Prince Lei to smuggle her out of the dungeons or for Prince Sky, her former army Captain to convince his father to release her.
Finding that trading a dungeon cell for a lavish compartment and imprisonment in the palace is still not freedom, Meilin sets out to break away from both of the men she has come to love and strike out at those who have opened many gates into the Spirit Realm, allowing dangerous spirits, including her own dragon to take control of the human's world.

The first volume in this duology was released in 2024 and I have to admit that I didn't really remember some of the characters until after I was a third of the way through this one. Preferably, readers will be able to read these back-to-back in order to keep the flow of the story going. For those who want an adult version of the Mulan legend, these titles will fit the bill. If you like political drama, warfare, ancient Chinese history and a bit of a love story as well you've come to the right place.

The first book in this series was a direct retelling of Mulan. This book completes the duology and was a satisfying ending. However, I found the book a little middle-of the road. I felt like the romance was a little forced and the pacing felt off. Overall, I just wanted to enjoy the story more. However, I did like the story's conclusion and I'm glad I finished the story.

As far as sequels go, wasn't the worst, wasn't the best. The love triangle continues to shine, but I am tired of love triangles and now prefer everyone just get together. Also, Sky really was acting like an asshole and was forgiven a bit too quick. I also feel like the end of the first book was a bit pointless. I still overall enjoyed this one and being back in this world with those characters

What a great addition to an amazing first book. This is exactly what I needed in my summer reading! Will there be a book three ;)

I AM ALWAYS GRATEFUL TO GET EARLY COPIES ON NETGALLEY BECAUSE I HATE WAITING!!! After the ending of the first book, I couldn't wait to devour this one and let me tell you I did. I couldn't put it down. Seeing the characters grow and the plot deepen man it was just perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a breathtaking, soul-stirring continuation of Meilin's story that left me in AWE!! This is not just a sequel, it's a storm of myth, power, and heart that strikes deep and lingers long after the final word. Hai Meilin's journey shattered me and stitched me back together, page by page.

The war may be over, but Meilin's battles have only just begun. After sacrificing everything to secure victory for her kingdom, she returns to find herself shackled, silenced, and punished for daring to fight as a woman. But the fire in her spirit cannot be caged! Not by walls, not by thrones, not even by the gods.

Meilin's journey is fire-forged and heart-wrenching. Every step she takes is laced with betrayal, with impossible choices and unbearable truths. She struggles not just to survive, but to be, to claim her truth in a world that insists she hide it. Of knowing the spirits will take what they will and still daring to love, to fight, to live.

The romance is tender, aching, beautifully restrained. The friendships are layered and fragile. The ending, I wanted more! And maybe that's the sign of a story that matters. When you finish and your soul whispers, "Not yet. Please, not yet." ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Without question, The Dragon Wakes with Thunder is one of my top books of 2025!!! A MASTERPIECE and a reminder that even the fiercest warriors bleed, break, and rise again!! I wholeheartedly recommend this book and it deserves all the infinite stars!!! ♾️💫💫💫💫💫

K.X Song has woven yet another literary masterpiece known in her newest book The Dragon Wakes with Fire. As the second book in The Dragon Spirit Duology we continue our journey from Meilin’s perspective as she continues down a dark path of power, politics and temptation. Qinglong is only growing in power as her tether to her world begins to weaken. Torn between her first love, a former enemy and a rebellion leader full of promises Meilin has much work to do and time is running out, Qinglong has come to collect his dues and he has never been known for his patience.

I didn’t think that anything could ever measure up to The Night Ends With Fire, but Song has done it again. Meilin is such a unique and complex character who is also at her core morally gray. I cannot get enough of Song’s characters and how they are brought to life. The balance of the original story of Mulan combined with new perspectives and storylines makes this Duology so addicting and engaging - this one will stick with me for a long time.

I was really looking forward to The Dragon Wakes with Thunder because I genuinely liked the first book—but this one just didn’t land the same way. The pacing dragged, and by the time I hit the 50% mark, I honestly stopped caring about what was happening. The emotional pull and momentum from book one felt missing, and the ending left me more disappointed than satisfied.
I’m still on the lookout for a book with a strong, complex female lead who wants power, gets it, and is willing to keep it—no matter the cost. This just wasn’t that story.

#IndigoEmployee

My Rating: 4.5 stars!!!!

I can’t believe Li Shang from Disney’s Mulan would do me dirty like that.

This book was incredible, even better than the first. While I admit the beginning was a little slow to get into, mainly because palace life was not my forte, but when the action started coming it really amped everything up. I loved the multitude of spirits, the different people met along the journey, and Meilin’s change and growth. The implications of addiction as well really were something I found beautiful. The ending was a perfect ending to the story. I absolutely love it and admit I would without hesitation jump back into the world of Tianjia.