Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White
Ratings8
Average rating4.4
15
Ratings8
Average rating4.4
The epic sequel to the New York Times bestseller Song of Silver, Flame Like Night is a fast-paced, riveting YA fantasy inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.
The Demon Gods have risen. Skies’ End has fallen to the colonizers. And Lan and Zen have chosen sides.
But they will not fight together.
Though Lan inherited the power of the Silver Dragon, she understands the path she must take. She believes the Demon Gods to be the cause of war, conflict, and turmoil, and that the future of the Last Kingdom depends on their being eliminated forever. Worse, she knows that if the Elantians manage to bind one of the legendary beings, their army will be unstoppable. To save her kingdom and her people, Lan will need to find the only mythical weapon capable of destroying the Demon Gods: the Godslayer.
Zen is sure that the only way to free the Last Kingdom is to use the power of the Demon Gods. When he bound the Black Tortoise, he paid the ultimate price: to inherit its strength, he will forfeit his body, his mind, and his soul. Yet one Demon God is not enough against the might of the colonizers. In the ruins of the northern Mansorian lands slumbers a magical army of demonic practitioners capable of facing off against the Elantians—but Zen must find the Seal to awaken them to fight by his side.
At the center of both Lan’s and Zen’s journeys is one city: Shaklahira, a former stronghold of the Imperial Court that vanished without a trace when the Elantians invaded. Its location is a mystery, and both are sure that it holds the answers they need, but the past it hides might be more dangerous than anything they’ve faced yet.
The battle for the Last Kingdom rages on. But to win the war, Lan will have to decide: Can she face the boy she loves again? And when she does, can she kill him to free her people?
Featured Series
2 primary booksSong of the Last Kingdom is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2023 with contributions by Amélie Wen Zhao.
Reviews with the most likes.
Beautiful and Poetic
Regretfully, I didn't delve into the background before requesting this captivating book. Nonetheless, closing the year with such a literary gem has been immensely satisfying. In my 2023 reading challenge to explore books beyond my comfort zone, I was drawn to this title by its intriguing concept and captivating cover. The only drawback was not having read the first book. While this installment can be enjoyed as a standalone, I sensed a need for some context from its predecessor to enhance my experience fully. Despite this, I'm grateful to NetGalley and all involved for providing me with a copy. It's a delightful addition to my roster of 4-star reads this year.
In this riveting tale, Lan embarks on a quest to vanquish the four demon gods, aiming to bring an end to their malevolent reign. Simultaneously, Zen yearns for greater power and an army to resist the colonizers who have seized control of their homeland. Fate interweaves their destinies, repeatedly thrusting them together in unforeseen encounters where Zen consistently lends a helping hand to Lan. Yet, the lingering question remains: will their individual pursuits converge when they discover they share a common cause, united on the same side of the coin? This captivating narrative explores the intricate dance between destiny and choice, unveiling the potential alliances that may reshape their world.
Immersed in profound character exploration, this book places a monumental emphasis on Zen and Lan, unfolding a narrative woven with their intricate emotions and transformative journeys. The meetings between them are charged with palpable angst, evoking intense emotions that defy easy expression, a testament to Amelie's exceptional prowess in poetic storytelling. Their tale unfolds as one intricately tied to fate and destiny, a delicate dance of yin and yang. It's as if the red thread of fate persistently draws them together in unexpected ways, creating a story that beautifully captures the essence of their shared journey.
Delving too deeply into the storyline would spoil the magic of this read—an experience I believe my readers should embrace blindly. While one might be tempted to start with the second book, I caution against it. In doing so, I felt I unintentionally did a disservice to both the author and potential readers. Book one lays the foundation, enriching the narrative in ways that can't be overlooked.
I extend an invitation to discover this literary journey in the coming year by clicking the link below. Not only is it a rewarding experience, but it also aligns with one of the prompts in this year's PopSugar Challenge, offering an extra incentive to delve into its pages sooner rather than later.
The book is so amazing 🤩 The twists, the turns, the plot, the characters, the angst, the friendship, the romance, everything was written beautifully and poetically. The ending tho 😭 I need more from my babies, Lan and Zen. Amelie, we need another book or a novella, please 🥺 just something 😭🙏
