The Earthly Blaze

Sword Maiden from the Moon #2

by Alice Poon

The Earthly Blaze is the concluding part of the Sword Maiden from the Moon duology. This duology is a blend of the wuxia and xianxia genre that evokes the vibes of cdramas like The Untamed, Nirvana in Fire and Word of Honor.

In this propulsive sequel to The Heavenly Sword, the heroine Sai’er is beset with grim challenges as she leads the White Lotus Sect to oppose Emperor Zhu Di. When the Green Dragon threatens to kill villagers to punish Sai’er for wounding Zhu Di, she is forced to fight the demon in an undersea battle.

Aided by her immortal friends, Sai'er engages in violent clashes with the enemy camp. All the while, she yearns to start a new life with her lover Sanbao, but is haunted by the prospect of a final showdown with Zhu Di.

The Earthly Blaze is the second and concluding part of Alice Poon’s magnificent duology combining Chinese mythical folklore and speculative history into a sweeping tale of family love, fellowship loyalty, loss, sacrifice and kung fu rivalry.

Genres: Fantasy

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2024

About the author

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Alice Poon received a fully bilingual (English and Chinese) education and also learned French in her youth.

Since the release of her two historical Chinese novels: The Green Phoenix and Tales of Ming Courtesans, nostalgia for the magical world of wuxia fiction, which she grew up with, has spurred her desire to write in the Chinese fantasy genre. With the passing of the wuxia fiction icon Jin Yong in 2018, she has felt an urge to help to preserve his legacy and to promote this unique genre of Chinese folk literature to a wider global audience.

Overall, inspiration for her fiction writing comes from Jin Yong’s wuxia novels, the wuxia/xianxia media, and French and Russian realist classics.

She lives in Greater Vancouver, Canada and wishes to indulge herself in putting her imagination on the page.

Reviews

[Alice Poon · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS AN ADULT FANTASY NOVEL.

CW: BE MINDFUL OF BEING SUCKED INTO A STIRRING VORTEX, NOT DISSIMILAR TO THAT FOUND IN THE CDRAMAS "NIRVANA IN FIRE" AND "WORD OF HONOR". THIS CONCLUDING SEQUEL PROMISES TO BE ANOTHER EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER AFTER THE HEAVENLY SWORD

[Jamedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Earthly Blaze is the second and final book in the wuxia series Sword Maiden from the Moon, written by Alice Poon, and published by Earnshaw Books. In this thrilling conclusion, Sai'er and the White Lotus Sect will try to confront emperor Zhu Di, while delving into some subplots that give us more intimacy into the human aspects of our heroine.

An action packed sequel that picks immediately after The Heavenly Sword, taking the foundations left by the first instalment to build an intense story, continuing the fight against the incarnation of the Sky Wolf; a fight that will take the bonds between the characters to the limit, and especially Sai'er, taking her to question many times if she's really the one for the task.

A Sai'er who takes a different role in this second book, being much more centered around her, with her acting as leader, but also showing her humanity and weaknesses; having to leave all the people she has bonded with after fulfilling her mission makes her struggle even more. The secondary characters, despite losing importance in comparison, are also well fleshed, and become really memorable.

Poon's writing is really descriptive, evoking vivid images of the places and the folklore mentioned in the book, shining especially when the group's mission takes them to the Forbidden City. It is faster paced than the first book, partly because the first one acts a bit as an introduction; action scenes are simply delightful.

The Earthly Blaze is the conclusion Sai'er's story deserved; if you want to immerse yourself into Chinese folklore and traditions with your fantasy, the Sword Maiden from the Moon duology is excellent.

[Emma Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ending to this duology. Poon's writing really shines in this sequel. I loved learning more about the characters and the world that was created. The tension from the writing of the first book continues in this as the weight of the past, present, future, politics, magic, and friendship of Sai'er and her friends/family/community grows with every decision she makes. In this book, a lot of the supporting cast of characters really blossomed. Characters like Yinho and Yulan became some of my favorites as we explored the different layers to the characters, history, and relationships with others. Sai'er's enemies were intense in the first book, and this one only builds off of it more and truly shows the power that is within Sai'er and her enemies, which climaxed to an amazing final standoff where the characters were pushed to the edge, and you got to see so much of them.

Poon's writing is fast pace and combined with her character development and world-building, this sequel continues to grab you by the hand and pull you into the world of Sai'er. Like any good sequel, it builds off of the first, showing the reader how little details from the first novel that might have been overlooked are important and come back to serve the narrative and the characters' journey while also showing us new aspects of the story that you get to learn.

Lace all of that together with amazing quotes like "Hope for peace is just fantasy as long as a callous tyrant sits on the throne" and "Cruelty in society is a contagious disease. It passes from the top to the bottom in the power hierarchy. Some would retain their conscience, but these would be few and far between," Poon tackles social issues that not only were prevalent in that time period but are still seen today. This series was amazing, and if you are looking for a good fantasy series, especially from the Wuxia genre, I can't recommend this enough.

***Thanks to Alice Poon for copies of both books in exchange for an honest review and for introducing me to one of my new favorite fantasy duologies***

[Kika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sword Maiden from the Moon (“The Heavenly Sword" and "The Earthly Blaze”) by Alice Poon is a thrilling duology that fuses historical fiction with elements of martial arts (wuxia 武侠) and fantasy (xianxia 仙侠) genres.

Set during the tumultuous times of the Ming Dynasty, the narrative follows Tang Sai’er’s journey as she rises to become the leader of the White Lotus Sect. Tang Sai’er (the embodiment of the goddess Chang’e) with her inner conflicts, the burden of her divine mission, and her growth as a leader are central to the narrative. She is not only a martial arts prodigy but also a beacon of hope and justice who is forced into a cosmic fight against Emperor Yongle (formerly Prince of Yan and the mortal incarnation of the Sky Wolf in the Immortal realm). He serves as the primary antagonist and his ruthless quest for power in the mortal world mirrors his violent nature in the immortal realm.The narrative is further enriched with celestial beings like Ne Zha, Lan Caihe, Queen Mother of the West and many more, as well as Sai’er’s martial sect comrades, creating a rich tapestry of mythological and martial elements.

Historical elements are well researched, including our heroine Tang Sai’er, woman rebel leader during Yongle’s reign who indeed was a White Sect Leader. Taking this historical setting as a starting point, Alice expertly weaves wuxia and fantasy elements together, creating a narrative that is both reminiscent of Jin Yong’s novels and rich with Chinese mythological tales.
The wuxia elements, such as honor, loyalty, justice and the struggle against tyranny resonate throughout the novels, providing a moral backbone to the epic tale and making the characters' struggles more relatable and compelling. Not to mention the detailed descriptions of martial arts (my favorite part), which are exquisitely crafted and make this duology a page-turner that is hard to put down. These sequences in Alice’s skillful storytelling create a rich and immersive experience, and stand as a testament of her love for wuxia genre and Jin Yong’s work.
The xianxia elements are seamlessly integrated into the novels’ setting and add layers of depth and wonder. Characters like Ne Zha, Xuannu the Warrior Goddess, the Green Dragon, enrich the narrative by bridging the mortal and celestial realms, adding a sense of cosmic significance to the earthly struggles.

The literary quality of Alice’s writing is noteworthy. Her prose is elegant, and her narrative approach skillfully balances action with introspective moments, giving readers ample opportunity to connect with the story. Blending different genres into a cohesive, engaging narrative she takes the readers on a deeply engaging and thought-provoking journey through both history and myth.

Sword Maiden from the Moon duology is a must-read for not only fans of Jin Yong’s novels and xianxia dramas, but also for anyone interested in epic tales of honor, mythical legends, and martial arts heroes.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting twist for the ending of this series. Alice Poon mixes the mortal and celestial rather well.

The good people against the evil emperor. Lots of martial arts. A recurring theme is that throughout China's history, the common folk to do not stand a chance against the country's leaders. No different today than centuries and centuries before. Despotism, communism, all one and the same for China.

Learning some things about Chinese folklore kept my interest in this series.

[Traveling Cloak · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It’s ill-fate that there’s a history of bad blood between the Imperial family and then Shandong people.”

Foreshadowing, anyone… ? 👀

This series was such a fun read! Poon does a great job of creating a world that incorporates so many interesting aspects for the reader to hook into.

I found this story to be extremely character-driven, which is a good thing because the way the author revolves the world around the characters is phenomenal. I enjoyed how the characters interacted with different aspects of Chinese lore and history while also dealing with all their own shit. They build and develop complex relationships (both good and bad) all while mastering kung fu, protecting their loved ones, and playing key roles in an ancient battle of immortals.

This series has intriguing storylines, engaging fights, mythical beasts, gods, and tons of history and depth. For those into wuxia/xianxia novels (my understanding is that this series is a combination of both writing styles - with Poon’s own twist on it) I definitely recommend picking it up.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review is on My Blog  

I'm also on Twitter and Instagram 

In The Earthly Blaze, author Alice Poon takes up immediately after the events of the first book of this duology, The Heavenly Sword. Jumping right into the thick of it, Sai’er and her friends struggle against the forces of Prince Zhu Di, the earthly incarnation of the evil Sky Wolf. The fighters form a sect to network and recruit new members, resist the wicked acts of Zhu Di and his government, and hone their skills in kung fu to aid them in their battles. Along the way, bonds between the group are strained and tested in ways none of them could have foreseen. Adding in betrayals and double agents makes the entire situation all the more fraught, burdening Sai’er, Sanbao, Binhong, Yinho, and the rest of the Sect with wavering morale and uncertainty about who is friend and who is foe.

I enjoyed this book even more than The Heavenly Sword. After reading that first entry, I realized that I actually had No Clue™ about kung fu/ wuxia in general beyond having watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and some Jackie Chan films, and even less about the literary genre. So I set out to learn a few things about it and lo and behold! I was rewarded by my new understanding with an even greater appreciation for the story as a whole and for the wuxia genre specifically. 

This action-packed book was rich in Chinese culture and mythology. I loved the attention to detail throughout. Everything from broad strokes such as landscape descriptions to tiny details such as decorations on a person’s clothes were included and helped to make a vibrant backdrop for the story. It made it feel like I was immersed and part of the action. Likewise, references to various deities and myths enriched the reading experience and, in a couple places, made me go off and look up a myth or character that was previously unfamiliar to me. The worldbuilding overall is excellent, and I also really loved the politics in this. They were complex, at times even labyrinthine, and provided some good insight into the social structures in real-life in earlier times. The legends, politics, and epic martial arts sequences mix together for an explosive adventure. 

I enjoyed getting to know Sai’er better. She was very much a mother figure to the Sect members and they looked up to her. She is not perfect, though, but her flaws and uncertainties make her relatable. It was fun to see how not only Sai’er grew as a person and how her celestial identity was resolved, but also how the others fulfilled their own roles, whatever those happened to be. Everything worked itself out the way it needed to, even when we lost characters along the way or wished that something had gone differently. One sign of a good story, to me, is when an author can take readers where they may not want to go but ultimately where they need to go; Poon does that exactly right.

Finally, a small point that nevertheless made a big difference. There was a recap of book 1 at the beginning! I had read and enjoyed the first book in this duology but, as with the majority of the books I read anymore, I forget most of the things about it as soon as I finish reading. The recap was greatly appreciated and was enough to jog my memory so that I could dive right into this one.

At the end of the day, this duology is a sweeping journey through a world filled with courage, destiny, and cosmic forces colliding in an epic battle of good vs. evil. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves kung fu, Chinese mythology, or just a rip-roaring, action-packed story. 

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"With the passing of each day, we become more certain that sooner or later this existence will end. Life's hardest lesson is probably learning to say a final farewell to our loved ones."

There might be some spoilers for the first book since this is the sequel.
I received an e-book copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

You will enjoy this duology if you love:
- wuxia and xianxia vibes,
- world of martial arts,
- mythology and history incorporated into a fantasy setting,
- characters learning their life lessons and growing into formidable heroes they didn't expect to become,
- focus on family and strong friendship bonds,
- strong female heroine,
- unexpected and tragic endings,
- the importance of a moral code in a cruel world,
- political intrigues and secret schemes.

"Cruelty in society is a contagious disease. It passes from the top to the bottom in the power hierarchy."

The Earthly Blaze is a better sequel than I could wish for. I love seeing the progress in the author's writing, and I enjoyed the sequel more than the first book. Mind you, the first book is also great, but the second one hit the spot for me. My most favourite part of the second instalment of the story was the first half of the book because I am a sucker for political intrigues, moving in the shadows, planning intricated schemes and manipulating people based on their strength and weaknesses. I need Alice Poon to write a story purely about all the aspects mentioned above because I know it's going to be brilliant and I'm going to love it and finish it at one sitting.

Speaking of my favourite part of the book, this leads to my favourite character. Surprisingly, it's not Sai'er, although I still adore her and she's my fav as well because her story is incredibly well written with all the hard lessons and character development, but Swallow stole the show. I often find myself rooting for the secondary characters, and I love it when authors can deliver great character stories and character development for the secondary characters. In my opinion, it just makes any story complete and more complex. Plus, give me friendship bonds and I-am-going-to-die-for-you loyalty, and I'm all yours.

"I would reach up to the sky and pluck the stars for you!"

There are certain endings you expect for stories like this, but you won't get them here, which is also an unexpected bonus. At first, I wasn't sure if I liked it enough because I wished the worst ending upon you-know-who, but I still think about the ending to this day, and it was brilliant and so well thought out that I'm thankful for a bit different approach from the author's side.

Overall, I'm glad that the author reached out to me and offered an e-book because otherwise I wouldn't have a chance to meet my new favourite group of characters and discover their stories - some of them with happy endings, some of them with endings that made me cry. I hope that we will get more and more books from Alice Poon because she deserves more recognition for her beautiful writing and storytelling.

Rating: 4,5 stars

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second and final book in the Sword Maiden from the Moon duology, Alice Poon continues Sai’er’s story as she and the White Lotus Sect continue to oppose Emperor Zhu Di. With new enemies like the Green Dragon and other followers of Zhu Di, Sai’er and her community continue to fight against his tyranny, but this final fight with Zhu Di overshadows her hope for peace and happiness with Sanbao. Joining Sai’er for this final fight, readers will not be able to put this powerful, magical sequel down. Poon’s characters and the blend of mythological folklore create a beautiful and complex narrative that is vividly alive. The incredible mix of genres really adds to the nature of the novel and makes it unique; the focus on mythology and martial arts emphasize the larger and more powerful themes of love, fellowship, and loyalty. Sai’er continues her growth as a character in this sequel, adding to her already strong characterization from the first book, and the increased stakes of this novel really challenge her in new and interesting ways. A brilliant conclusion to a brilliant duology, Poon finishes strong as readers follow Sai’er’s journey in this final fight against Emperor Zhu Di’s tyranny.

Thanks to NetGalley and Earnshaw Books Ltd. for the advance copy.

[GҽɱɱαSM · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4*
The Earthly Blaze és la continuació de The Heavenly Sword i la culminació de la duologia wuxia/xianxia Sword Maiden From The Moon. D'una energia extraordinària, aquesta història a ritme trepidant, amb addictius girs i voltes, és una mescla fascinant de folklore i mitologia, escrita amb una prosa bella i etèria malgrat poder narrar successos tan cruents com violacions o assassinats, amb unes escenes de batalles èpiques i duels refinats i uns protagonistes molt ben imaginats i amb uns backgrounds molt ben fonamentats que trobaré a faltar i que ja han passat a formar part del meu imaginari wuxia.

The Earthly Blaze is the sequel to The Heavenly Sword and the end of the wuxia/xianxia duology Sword Maiden From The Moon. Of an extraordinary energy, this fast pace story, with addictive twists and turns, blends folklore and Mithology in an extremely captivating way, written with a beautiful and loving prose although it may be narrating events as vicious and cruel as rapes or assassinations, with both epic battle and delicate duel scenes and well imagined with complex backgrounds characters some of whom I'm going to miss and have already become part of my wuxia imaginary.

[wrenling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way in which this book echoed the classic Jin Yong wuxia I have read in its style, its many characters with their complex relationships, its well-described martial arts sequences and battles, and the blending of the mortal with the supernatural world. Some of my favorite bits were the unexpected love affairs between the characters, which included queer relationships, soul mates, short term comfort and "wrong answers only" situations. I also really appreciated the interweaving of Chinese history and Daoist and Buddhist mythology and tenets throughout -- the heroine's goal is not simply to destroy what's evil, but to transform it and encourage repentance and a change of ways. Fast paced adventure, multi-POV, and satisfying resolutions!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The mantra of my swordsmanship is to be a needle wrapped in cotton, just like deception is the ultimate stratagem in war."

Chang'e incarnate, in the form of Sai'er, had been sent to the mortal world to stop Zhu Di's tyrannical hold on his subjects after having usurped the throne of the duly chosen Emperor. As Book #2 of Alice Poon's duology unfolds, Zhu Di continued his purges, corvee labor conscriptions and skimming of farmers harvests. Villagers were forced to flee, becoming refugees. Sai'er and her foster brothers, Binhong and Yinho formed the White Lotus Society, training those at risk in the martial arts coupled with moving entire village populations to higher ground. Zhu Di, supported by the Embroidered Uniform Guards, had "empowered [them] to arrest, imprison and interrogate." Sai'er had two supportive deities: Lan Caihe, an androgynous sprite and Nezha who provided Sai'er with a magical Xuannu Sword.

A recap from The Heavenly Sword Book #1, replete with its Worldbuilding, seamlessly enabled the reader to follow the battle between Emperor Zhu Di vs. his Subjects. According to Sai'er, "killing someone doesn't bring back a loved one, or heal a broken heart. Perhaps we can punish instead of kill the culprit. It's always better to leave the culprits to their karma, because if we kill for revenge, we are no better than those who kill to satisfy their power lust." Sai'er and the White Lotus Sect would use Kung Fu "to self-protect in combat...our assassination targets are corrupt...and wicked officials." Sai'er, Binhong, Yinho and their Strategists "devised and executed policies that were fair and focused on helping the poor...the old...the needy." Defections would occur, changes in allegiance, mourning for those lost, and tender love would blossom, both new or unreciprocated.

Author Poon's captivating writing drew me into the White Lotus Society. In disguise, I entered the Imperial City during Festivals, took refuge in a Tao Temple, cried bitterly for a bride, passed secret messages and travelled a long journey on a trading vessel. Sai'er's earthly mission was to amend
Zhu Di's behavior. "As long as this wicked ruler sits on the throne, peace will be elusive...but the day of confrontation will come soon enough." Will Sai'er's quest be successful in the end? For this reader, Sai'er is my hero for taking the moral high ground. Kudos to Alice Poon for a fascinating look into the world of wuxia fantasy.

Thank you Alice Poon for a print copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jerome Rondeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again actually 3.75 stars.

The writing is still a bit wooden, and at times it felt like one of those stories where the heroes pontificate about the proper way thing should be and that the villains are defying the order of heaven.

BUT the heroes are likeable and the villains are totally despicable.

If you are looking for a book that is entertaining and educational, I recommend it!

[AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.5 stars

The Earthly Blaze is the fantastical sequel to The Heavenly Sword. Immediately, we're thrown back into the action and we get multiple strategy meetings and kung fu battles in the first few chapters. I was immediately sucked back into the story and I thoroughly enjoyed this finale!

Poon really found her stride in this sequel. The plot is tight, the character development is focused and deeper, and the writing flows well. The faster pace helped to push the plot, and the world building was immaculate. I found myself hooked from the first page and I definitely think this is the shining star of the duology.

It really felt like The Heavenly Sword finished at the 50% point of the story, and The Earthly Blaze propels us through to the end. This book is full of history-rich world building, further development of our Immortals and their relationships with those both in the heavenly realm and the mortal, and amazing action scenes and political scheming. The stakes felt higher with the reveal of what happens after the mission is fulfilled. It gave the story some extra punch and really tested the relationships that they all made across this epic journey.

I once again found myself fascinated by the folklore and mythological elements of the story, as well as the deep relationships built throughout Sai'er's mission. The fight scenes were definitely the highlight for me, with each one showing off Poon's writing skills as each scene came alive for me as I read. You can truly see that this is as much as work of art as it is a tribute to the genre.

I will say that this series isn't for everyone. There definitely has to be an understanding for East Asian storytelling, as it differs greatly from what we're generally used to and comfortable with in Western media. I loved how the world came to life, but if you do decide to pick this up, I would recommend gaining a better understanding of wuxia and xianxia stories and their story structure so this isn't such a huge adjustment.

All in all, this epic finale had me on the edge of my seat until the very end and I applaud Poon for taking on such a huge story!

TW: nudity, violence, death, torture, injury detail, murder, kidnapping, manipulation

eARC and finished copy gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review.