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.
First, because it doesn't say it anywhere on the book (although I should have expected it, I suppose) : this is the first book of a series, not a standalone, and it ends on a cliffhanger.
Second: this is the Mulan retelling we all needed. There's a few cues from the Disney version here, but this is a grown up, adult version of the story; Meilin is not particularly trying to save her father, who she hates, she's just trying to get some freedom - and the best way to do that is to throw herself into the army, where she'll be killed if anyone finds out what she is.
The writing simply flows here - I was halfway through before I stopped to breath, and the pace never relents. Excerpts of old legends add to the feeling of a real world, though there's a lot of things we learn only slowly as the story progresses.
I'll be looking out for the rest of the series, as I definitely want to know what happens next!
The Night Ends with Fire publishes on the 2nd July, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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