The Night Ends with Fire

By: K. X. Song

Narrated by: Natalie Naudus

Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.

The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.

In the army, Meilin's relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

©2024 K. X. Song (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The Night Ends with Fire is what blessedly happens when the themes of Hua Mulan’s legend are combined with wuxia principles and a powerful new voice in adult fantasy. K.X. Song’s soaring, emotive prose takes the reader on an unforgettable adventure in a painstakingly realized world, laced with fascinating characters that effortlessly play off of one another and twists that leave us reeling. I devoured every page of this truly epic tale.”—Thea Guanzon, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of The Hurricane Wars

“Sweepingly epic and tenderly romantic, The Night Ends With Fire is a fiercely feminist adventure about a young woman fighting to shape her destiny in a world of lore, magic, and war. One not to miss for fans of Mulan.”—Amélie Wen Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night

"An awesome, engaging fantasy that takes a hard look at the cost of being true to yourself. Adventure, romance and dragons abound in this fantastic tale."—Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series

Interesting

this book was good FANTASY book. I liked the characters, the plot, story line, and the really good cliff hanger. I read the poppy war trilogy by R.F. Kuang and this book is something like that those. only thing I didn't like was hiw the character was written to sound incompetent. it gave the guys in the book the uperhand Everytime. it got annoying and bored. I thought she couldnt be smart enough to understand that?? she's good enough to learn and understand Kong fu and qigong, yet not smart enough to understand. besides that, it was a good book. I would recommend and I can't wait till part 2 comes out.

Read because of Natalie naudus

Story is a little confusing , not my favorite book. Its all over the place with the story telling changing which person pov

“Not all chains… are apparent to the eye.”

The only con I had with this story was the slow beginning.
But my pros out weigh that by a mile. ☺️ I enjoyed the twists the author brought to her retelling of Mulan. I loved how as time goes, I became attached to the fmc and wanted her to win. I loved that the romance didn’t overwhelm the story as a whole.
I need book 2 now. 🥲
I physically read, and listened to this book. Well written, and Natilie could do no wrong with her voicing any fmc. ❤️☺️

The Priceless Cost of Ambition

Initially, I saw a beautiful hardcover copy of this amazing work of literature in a BJs and it was such a beautiful work of art and I was drawn in, so I read the inside cover. I knew in that moment that I had to read this book, with two Audible credit, I purchased the audiobook. The prose was so beautiful, I returned to BJs and purchased the hard copy as, I could not put the book down. I listened in the car, walking, and while cleaning! I enjoyed the physical copy while relaxing in the evening with a beautiful glass of wine. This is definitely a five start read! Enjoy!

I liked it but I didn't love it

I guess I miss understood what this book was to be able. I hate books that don't end with a happy ending. I'm hoping this was just a cliffhanger but if not I am very disappointed in this book.

Mulan retelling done beautifully!!

such an incredible story, I loved to retelling with the focus being shifted from duty to selfish desire and the consequences of action because of it. definitely an instant classic.

Realistic, perhaps but inspiringly uninspiring.

Ninety nine percent of this story was amazing but the end was gut wrenching. Most of the characters were disappointing and grew very little. Even Meilin still failed to use the power afforded to her to make her own happy ending in the end, leaving us with only a thread of hope. Which I clung to because I’m too much like this character anyway. If it was meant to infuriate readers, then it was masterfully executed. The best I can say is that she wrote an unfinished story. One I felt I must go home immediately and write the rest of myself. I don’t know whether to be angry or grateful or both. It seemed there was one obvious path to freedom for Meilin but she never saw it for what it was, perhaps because she idealized Skye. But did she see it in the end? If you’re looking for closure, you won’t find it outside yourself.

Enjoyable Take on Mulan!

⭐️ = 4
🌶️ = 0 (some sensuality but minimal)
🎧 = 3

This was a fun version of the Mulan story! Though, I did find it a little confusing at times. I’m sure it’s because I was rushing through the story as I found it engrossing and wanted to know what was happening.

It is more of an adult retelling of the tale, though mid to older teens could enjoy this.

I was highly excited to see that it was going to be a series. As I neared the mid-way mark, I thought there was no way the author could tie everything up by the end of the book. It does end on a cliffhanger. There’s a lovely little “attraction triangle” that I cannot wait to see more of.

Meilin is a wonderful character to go through this story with. She’s tough and resourceful, and maybe the most enjoyable thing about her - she has flaws. She’s selfish, she wants power, she wants life. It’s kind of a breath of fresh air from the all too perfect heroines.

My main issue with this story is that there’s so much world and character building that things do get pretty confusing. Especially when it comes to the magic element in this story. Though, I believe the fact that there is at least another book will help smooth that out.

I also have a small issue with the audiobook version. While the narrator was fantastic, and obviously knew Chinese, she just sounded so flatly American! This is just personal preference, but when you have a story that obviously takes place in a world based on a specific culture, it would be far more enjoyable for the narrator to sound like they are actually from that culture and not from America.

The ending!!!!

This book was fantastic in making you think you were getting the Disney version of a Mulan retelling only to completely destroy readers who are unfamiliar with the traditional Chinese tellings of the Mulan story. While the ending felt a little too fast in some spots you really felt for all of the characters and understood everyone. Its sad that the glaring issue of women everywhere experience gender discrimination and have less rights then men do in this book is prevalent in todays world which is why I believe its a very important read