The end of the duology was much better than the first book. I really liked that Meilin learned that greed and power are not the best things in life. Great.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This sequel was everything I hoped for and more. Picking up from where The Night Ends with Fire left off, Meilin's journey becomes even more complex and emotionally charged. Her imprisonment upon returning home, despite her heroism, sets the tone for a story filled with political intrigue, personal dilemmas, and the haunting presence of the sea dragon Qinglong.

Meilin's internal struggle with her identity and the expectations placed upon her is portrayed with depth and nuance. The choices she faces—between loyalty, love, and self-preservation—are heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. The supporting characters, each with their own agendas, add layers to the narrative, making Meilin's decisions all the more challenging.

The world-building continues to impress, blending elements of Chinese mythology with a richly imagined fantasy setting. The prose is lyrical, and the pacing keeps you engaged throughout. The themes of power, sacrifice, and agency are explored thoughtfully, making this not just a fantasy tale but a commentary on societal structures and personal freedom.

If you enjoyed the first book, this continuation will not disappoint. It's a compelling read that stays with you long after the final page.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.*

“We’re human, each of us. But I believe we’re more than our worst moments. It’s our best moments that have the power to define us.”

WDYM it's over?! I know this is the final book in the duology, but can I have one more book PLEASE?? The Night Ends with Fire was my favorite read of 2024, and I think the Dragon Wakes with Thunder might be my favorite read this year, too. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was worried, I was excited, but this exceeded my expectations. I loved this so much more than the first book! I feel like I’ve gone through four different lives in the span of one book with all the cutthroat court drama, political intrigue, betrayals, angst, angry ancient animal spirits, and so much more. This took high stakes to a new level. K.X. Song did not hold back!

This book is essentially an antithesis to the first book. What that means you’ll have to find out when you read. I had so many theories prepared for this novel and all of them were so wrong! This is a book that deserves to be read as blindly as possible without spoilers. While I loved the first novel, it felt a little safe and predictable since it was a loose Mulan retelling with familiar themes, but the sequel felt more original, showing what Song can really do when utilising her creativity. It really made it difficult to predict what was going to happen, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was also worried because there were a lot of plot points being established in the first novel yet everything came together nicely in the sequel and it felt cohesively told. I loved seeing how Meilin, Lei and Sky’s stories intertwined as well as the new characters that were introduced in this one.

Oh, Hai Meilin, you will always be beloved by me. This whole duology has always been Meilin’s story. Not Sky’s, not Lei’s, but Meilin’s — from the very beginning to the very end. I could read for Meilin alone because she was such a strong FMC with one of the best character developments that I’ve read in a fantasy series. Even with all hope taken away from her and being broken and corrupted, Meilin stays ever so cunning and rebellious. She has to navigate court drama filled with vicious vipers yet Meilin schemes through it all with so much cunning. She truly holds her own without needing Sky or Lei by her side, and it’s always why I’ve loved her so much. Meilin’s story is truly so moving, so inspirational and will be remembered for years to come.

But of course this novel isn’t complete without Cao Ming Lei. Oh, I have so much love for this man. Yes, Meilin may be independent, but that doesn’t mean she has to do things alone! I lost count how many times this man made me giggle and nod vigorously because everything he says is so VALID. I don’t want to say too much, but K.X. Song, thank you for the food. There are so many things K.X. Song sneaks into this book that had me going INSANE when I read about it.

People that know me know how I feel about Sky, but Sky does have his moments that resonated with me in this one. Both love interests genuinely love Meilin at the end of the day and both each have memorable moments to showcase their love for her. I was left quite satisfied with both their arcs.

A new book also brings new friendships and new memorable side characters, some likable ones and some absolutely detestable. I found the side characters in this a lot stronger than book 1 and the stakes so much higher. Everyone feels more expendable and the casualties felt on a much grander scale. My heart broke multiple times and I felt like I was not able to breathe until the very end.

While I did feel divisive over the ending, I commend Song for her ambitious choice in storytelling and it felt right for what it was. Begging for a novella or a spin off, please! Anything so that I won’t have to say goodbye to this world and characters!

The war may be over, but the peace is a lot harder to live with for Meilin, who is paying the price for having the audacity to be a woman who wielded a sword.

But despite her punishment, Meilin has options, since others who seek power are aware of the potential she has to help them. Her challenge will be not becoming anyone's pawn, whether for love, money or glory. Luckily, she has a secret ally within, to advise her of the best way forward...

This is a captivating re imagining of the story of Mulan, and will be greatly enjoyed by readers who love epic fantasy. It gets 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.