<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Took me long enough to get into this duology, but I'm glad I finally did, binge reading both books after one another to make sure I'm up to date with all the characters and side stories. And I'm really glad I did, because as I'd rate the first book 4.25, this one was 4.75, making the overall series rating 4.5 :D
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<b>"To those who make history," said Kuro, toasting us.
"And to those who live to write about it," said Winter, smiling.</b>
This series as a whole feels like a little softened, romanticized Poppy War all over again, but I'm here for it! It was still adult genre, don't get me wrong - it got bloody, steamy, epic, I'm really glad they didn't miscategorized it to some kind of YA novel. Although the first installment was very chaotic and confusing (as MC enters the spirit realm all the time, mixing narratives, timelines, truth and lies) the story's unfolding is rewarding enough to keep you going. You do get a lot of classic Mulan vibes, but with not family's honour but greed pushing the MC forward toward her (or in truth her dragon's) goals. Hence due to chaos I keep my 4.25 rating, but still it was a perfect entry for book 2, which I adored.

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<b>"I am doing <i>everything</i> in my power to save you," he said. "But sometimes I think you don't want to be saved."</b>
The cliffhanger by the end of book 1 was brutal, bold, and epic. So just imagine my huge delight once I realized big chunk of book 2 is all palace intrigue which is one of my favorite tropes! I also really appreciated how the author never made the reader settle with Meilin's choices - not forcing her as likeable character, but making her remain human with her flaws despite a literal spirit fighting for her consiousness. I do wish some other choices were made when it cam to love triangle, as I feel overfed with the bad boy being the winner most of the time (I beg for a book like the 'Who rules the world' or 'I will never let you go' Cdramas, pretty please) but I do understand the choices that fit the narrative here (unlike for example 'The Heart of the Sun Warrior' - I'll keep being salty about this one :/). Overall, it made sense to go with the path Meilin chose, and it didn't hurt as some kind of instant love case.

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<b>"You're allowed to make your own stupid decisions," he said, voice light and teasing. Then he took the bottle and drained it. Without his usual confidence, he said, "But next time, let me come with you."</b>
As a big Poppy War fan I'm glad this book took a different approach on how to handle aftermath of a hungry powered heroine, although the very ending scene makes me fear that there's some spin-off on the way where I'd love the characters to remain where they are now. Making this a duology instead of trilogy was just the perfect decision, the pacing in both installments was well fitting and I never felt exhausted by reading it, even during all the war chaos. So what can I say - if you don't mind the equally bloody and more steamy xianxia read like the Kuang trilogy make sure to give this one a go!

A really good sequel.
I couldn't put it done.
I like the world and the characters and can't wait for book but this author.

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.