I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to the fantasy and mythology genre, but, I am widening my perspectives and so far loving it. The author has done this brilliantly. The story is beautifully written, the characters come alive on the page, the settings pop and all characters have a believable voice. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I always love the beautiful writing and description about places, clothes, and Xingyin's feelings inside this book. What I didn't expect is the food! How they're described is mouth watering and they made me hungry anytime I read the food parts inside the book! So many characters inside this book and I don't really like the love triangle parts. However I love the author dedicated some chapters for Xingyin to think and process her feelings before she made her decision. I'm so happy for Shuxiao too, it's an unexpected ending I didn't think of.

Setting/Worldbuilding: 9/10
Main characters: 9/10
Side characters: 8/10
Dialogue: 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Technique: 8/10
Prose: 10/10
Romance: 9.5/10
Ending: 9.5/10
Overall enjoyment: 10/10
Total: 90/100 (4.5)

This was a heartrending, emotional and dreamlike conclusion to what was perhaps one of my favourite books of 2022. It was everything I wanted it to be and more - filled with action and romance, quiet and emotional contemplation, quests and magic, betrayals and redemption, and immortality and familial bonds, all wrapped up in Sue Lynn Tan's characteristic lyrical writing.

Note that the love triangle in the duology was wrapped up (in my view) quite tenderly and perhaps a little unexpectedly for many fans. I have a feeling that, like all love triangles, the way this ends will probably end up causing a bit of a riff amongs some fans, but I loved it personally.

Sue Lynn Tan has a way of weaving words that become worlds before your very eyes. I was enraptured with her descriptions of all the palaces and immortal kingdoms, of flying clouds and phoenix battles and everything played out in my mind's eye like watching a C-drama. It was lovely.

This whole duology would appeal to fans of: fairytale like mythological retellings, soft magic and worldbuilding systems, xianxia style storytelling, Chinese culture aficionados, and enthusiasts of lyrical, contemplative prose. AND GORGEOUS COVER ART!

This whole duology would NOT appeal to people who dislike love triangles, strong romantic subplots, prefer a more plot-forward narrative, and prefer hard worldbuilding and hard magic systems.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am over the moon that I finally got my. hands on this! I have never been so excited for a series, it is absolutely magical. The storyline, the characters, and well, just about everything about this novel is amazing. I will not spoil it for anyone but trust me when I say, you NEED to read this. Sue Lynn Tan is a writing genius.

Excellent continuation of the series. Atmospheric and a breath of fresh air.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for my review.