The Night Ends with Fire
Plot Synopsis:
Set in a war-torn world inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, the story revolves around Hai Meilin, an 18-year-old woman from the kingdom of Anlai. Living in a household dominated by her father’s opium addiction and financial ruin, Meilin faces the threat of being sold into an abusive marriage to settle her father’s gambling debts. To escape this fate, she disguises herself as a boy under the name Ren and enlists in the army in her father’s place. With the help of her stepmother, Xiuying, she prepares for this bold new life, leaving behind her family and the constraints of being a woman in that time period. At the army camp, Meilin also faces the challenges of training and the scrutiny of her fellow soldiers. However, she quickly earns the respect of her commanding officer, Liu Sky, the Seventh Prince of Anlai, who unknowingly saved her in the past. As she navigates war, forbidden magic, and political intrigue, she discovers that her late mother’s jade necklace holds the spirit of Qinglong, the water dragon, granting her magical powers tied to water. She trains and uses this power to survive the never-ending battles surrounding her and to win against the power users who threaten her country.
My Opinion of T.N.E.W.F:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this book. The trope is a bit cliche, but I think the storyline is very unique and well written. The way the author approached themes of oppression and death created a realistic and immersive experience for readers to connect to Meilin’s struggles and time period. The book had a lot of emotional tension between the protagonist and male lead while they transitioned from comrades to friends to catching feelings and finally to fighting for each other to the death. Quite the wild ride if you ask me^^. The geographical relationship that was illustrated in the book was also incredibly detailed. Including background information for three separate nations and the living conditions surrounding each one.
I give this book ★★★★★ !!