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The Dragon Spirit #2
The Dragon Wakes With Thunder: the fast-paced, romantic and dark sequel
Forged in battle. Her legend begins.
A young woman who wields the power of the dragon must decide where her loyalties lie - and where her heart belongs - in this enthralling re-imagining of the legend of Mulan.
The war may be over, but Hai Meilin is still paying a heavy toll. Upon her return to Anlai, she is cast into prison. Her crime? Wielding a sword as a woman.
In the palace, Meilin is a pariah. But beyond the imperial walls, her legend has taken on a life of its own. To the east, a rebel leader needs Meilin to helm his revolution. In the south, a former enemy prince seeks her aid in restoring balance to the Three Kingdoms. And back home, Liu Sky, Meilin's commander and first love, wants Meilin by his side in his bid for the throne.
Pulled in all directions, Meilin vows that this time she will not be so quick to trust. Yet there is one she cannot help but listen to - for he dwells within her.
The sea dragon Qinglong has his own plans. During the war, Meilin wielded his power to cheat death and gain victory; now he has come to collect his dues. Meilin's mother warned her long the spirits demand blood. And Qinglong is ravenous.
A young woman who wields the power of the dragon must decide where her loyalties lie - and where her heart belongs - in this enthralling re-imagining of the legend of Mulan.
The war may be over, but Hai Meilin is still paying a heavy toll. Upon her return to Anlai, she is cast into prison. Her crime? Wielding a sword as a woman.
In the palace, Meilin is a pariah. But beyond the imperial walls, her legend has taken on a life of its own. To the east, a rebel leader needs Meilin to helm his revolution. In the south, a former enemy prince seeks her aid in restoring balance to the Three Kingdoms. And back home, Liu Sky, Meilin's commander and first love, wants Meilin by his side in his bid for the throne.
Pulled in all directions, Meilin vows that this time she will not be so quick to trust. Yet there is one she cannot help but listen to - for he dwells within her.
The sea dragon Qinglong has his own plans. During the war, Meilin wielded his power to cheat death and gain victory; now he has come to collect his dues. Meilin's mother warned her long the spirits demand blood. And Qinglong is ravenous.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2025
453 people are currently reading
21811 people want to read
About the author
K.X. Song
5 books908 followersK. X. Song is a diaspora writer with roots in Hong Kong and Shanghai. An Echo in the City is her debut novel. Visit her online at kxsong.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 665 reviews
June 6, 2025
“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!
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
preread:
IM SO READY OMG I BELIEVE IN LEI SUPREMACY
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!
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
preread:
IM SO READY OMG I BELIEVE IN LEI SUPREMACY
June 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a breathtaking, soul-stirring continuation of Meilin's story that left me in AWE!! This is not just a sequel, it's a storm of myth, power, and heart that strikes deep and lingers long after the final word. Hai Meilin's journey shattered me and stitched me back together, page by page.
The war may be over, but Meilin's battles have only just begun. After sacrificing everything to secure victory for her kingdom, she returns to find herself shackled, silenced, and punished for daring to fight as a woman. But the fire in her spirit cannot be caged! Not by walls, not by thrones, not even by the gods.
Meilin's journey is fire-forged and heart-wrenching. Every step she takes is laced with betrayal, with impossible choices and unbearable truths. She struggles not just to survive, but to be, to claim her truth in a world that insists she hide it. Of knowing the spirits will take what they will and still daring to love, to fight, to live.
The romance is tender, aching, beautifully restrained. The friendships are layered and fragile. The ending, I wanted more! And maybe that's the sign of a story that matters. When you finish and your soul whispers, "Not yet. Please, not yet."❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Without question, The Dragon Wakes with Thunder is one of my top books of 2025!!! A MASTERPIECE and a reminder that even the fiercest warriors bleed, break, and rise again!! I wholeheartedly recommend this book and it deserves all the infinite stars!!!♾️💫💫💫💫💫
What a breathtaking, soul-stirring continuation of Meilin's story that left me in AWE!! This is not just a sequel, it's a storm of myth, power, and heart that strikes deep and lingers long after the final word. Hai Meilin's journey shattered me and stitched me back together, page by page.
The war may be over, but Meilin's battles have only just begun. After sacrificing everything to secure victory for her kingdom, she returns to find herself shackled, silenced, and punished for daring to fight as a woman. But the fire in her spirit cannot be caged! Not by walls, not by thrones, not even by the gods.
Meilin's journey is fire-forged and heart-wrenching. Every step she takes is laced with betrayal, with impossible choices and unbearable truths. She struggles not just to survive, but to be, to claim her truth in a world that insists she hide it. Of knowing the spirits will take what they will and still daring to love, to fight, to live.
The romance is tender, aching, beautifully restrained. The friendships are layered and fragile. The ending, I wanted more! And maybe that's the sign of a story that matters. When you finish and your soul whispers, "Not yet. Please, not yet."❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Without question, The Dragon Wakes with Thunder is one of my top books of 2025!!! A MASTERPIECE and a reminder that even the fiercest warriors bleed, break, and rise again!! I wholeheartedly recommend this book and it deserves all the infinite stars!!!♾️💫💫💫💫💫
August 31, 2025
𐙚⋆˚✿˖° the kind of ending that makes you stare at the wall in silence
⭐️ 4 stars (but my heart is crying like it was a 1 star 😭)
──★ ˙🧷 ̟ !!
Okay, listen. I always thought it was kinda weird when people say they avoid finishing the last few pages of a book because they don’t wanna let go. But guess what? That was literally me here. I flew through like 90% of this in two days — absolutely devouring it — and then just… stopped. Refused to read the final 10% for five days. I wasn’t ready. My soul was clinging on. And when I finally turned that last page a few hours ago?? Yeah. Bittersweet devastation.
─── ౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
The cast who took my whole heart (and sometimes stomped on it):
- Meilin — I love her. Like, genuinely one of my favorite heroines in recent fantasy. Strong, flawed, cunning, tender. She’s fire-forged but still so human, and watching her navigate impossible choices was heartbreaking and empowering all at once.
- Sky — from the very beginning I had doubts. He felt different, almost off, and by the end… whew. He absolutely loved Meilin, no denying that. But his love was twisted, destructive, and he’s carrying scars that scream therapy now. Complex? Yes. Healthy? Absolutely not.
- Lei — my beloved. In book one I wasn’t sure how to feel about him, but this time?? I was rooting for him with my whole chest. Clever, steady, sharp as a blade, but also surprisingly soft in ways I didn’t expect. He didn’t disappoint — not once.
─── ౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
What I loved:
✦ Meilin standing her ground even when everyone tried to break her.
✦ The sheer political scheming — peak drama. Felt like watching a fantasy K-drama but with DRAGONS.
✦ The sea dragon Qinglong always looming in the background… terrifying, beautiful, and haunting.
✦ The messy, aching romance that was never simple and never safe.
✦ The quiet moments where Meilin questioned who she was without a sword or crown. Those broke me.
✦ The ending. Bittersweet doesn’t even cover it. Painful and perfect at the same time. Considering the duology as a whole, it fit. Still, my chest hurts.
𓇼🌊⋆★
Honestly? This sequel was everything I wanted — more dragons, more stakes, more heartbreak, more growth. It leaned heavier into fantasy than romance, but I didn’t mind. The love triangle? Actually done well. The themes of power, legacy, and sacrifice? Chef’s kiss.
This isn’t just Meilin’s story — it’s a storm, a legend, a scream into the universe about carving out your place even when the world wants to chain you.
And now… it’s over. Ahhh. I can’t believe it’s actually over.
#LeiSupremacy #MeilinForever #SkyNeedsTherapy
━━━━━━━━━━━⊱♡⊰━━━━━━━━━━
𐙚⋆˚✿˖° FINALLY. I cannot believe I missed the release date 😭 the first book crushed me with all the betrayals and that ending—like hello??? I’ve been waiting to see Meilin rise, full girlboss mode, and take back her place. Whether she ends up with Sky, Lei, or no one at all, I just know this sequel is about to wreck me in the best way.
──★ ˙🧷 ̟ !!
⭐️ 4 stars (but my heart is crying like it was a 1 star 😭)
──★ ˙🧷 ̟ !!
Okay, listen. I always thought it was kinda weird when people say they avoid finishing the last few pages of a book because they don’t wanna let go. But guess what? That was literally me here. I flew through like 90% of this in two days — absolutely devouring it — and then just… stopped. Refused to read the final 10% for five days. I wasn’t ready. My soul was clinging on. And when I finally turned that last page a few hours ago?? Yeah. Bittersweet devastation.
─── ౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
The cast who took my whole heart (and sometimes stomped on it):
- Meilin — I love her. Like, genuinely one of my favorite heroines in recent fantasy. Strong, flawed, cunning, tender. She’s fire-forged but still so human, and watching her navigate impossible choices was heartbreaking and empowering all at once.
- Sky — from the very beginning I had doubts. He felt different, almost off, and by the end… whew. He absolutely loved Meilin, no denying that. But his love was twisted, destructive, and he’s carrying scars that scream therapy now. Complex? Yes. Healthy? Absolutely not.
- Lei — my beloved. In book one I wasn’t sure how to feel about him, but this time?? I was rooting for him with my whole chest. Clever, steady, sharp as a blade, but also surprisingly soft in ways I didn’t expect. He didn’t disappoint — not once.
─── ౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
What I loved:
✦ Meilin standing her ground even when everyone tried to break her.
✦ The sheer political scheming — peak drama. Felt like watching a fantasy K-drama but with DRAGONS.
✦ The sea dragon Qinglong always looming in the background… terrifying, beautiful, and haunting.
✦ The messy, aching romance that was never simple and never safe.
✦ The quiet moments where Meilin questioned who she was without a sword or crown. Those broke me.
✦ The ending. Bittersweet doesn’t even cover it. Painful and perfect at the same time. Considering the duology as a whole, it fit. Still, my chest hurts.
𓇼🌊⋆★
Honestly? This sequel was everything I wanted — more dragons, more stakes, more heartbreak, more growth. It leaned heavier into fantasy than romance, but I didn’t mind. The love triangle? Actually done well. The themes of power, legacy, and sacrifice? Chef’s kiss.
This isn’t just Meilin’s story — it’s a storm, a legend, a scream into the universe about carving out your place even when the world wants to chain you.
And now… it’s over. Ahhh. I can’t believe it’s actually over.
#LeiSupremacy #MeilinForever #SkyNeedsTherapy
━━━━━━━━━━━⊱♡⊰━━━━━━━━━━
𐙚⋆˚✿˖° FINALLY. I cannot believe I missed the release date 😭 the first book crushed me with all the betrayals and that ending—like hello??? I’ve been waiting to see Meilin rise, full girlboss mode, and take back her place. Whether she ends up with Sky, Lei, or no one at all, I just know this sequel is about to wreck me in the best way.
──★ ˙🧷 ̟ !!
Want to read
December 17, 2024IM ALREADY SEATED AND READY TO COLLECT #MEILINLEI ENDGAME
September 18, 2025
Book one is actually on my 2025 must reads shelf so here we go to close this series out!!
Well, that ends super weird.... This is a duology and it ends with a small cliffhanger?
The beginning of this book was confusing. I really like the retelling of Mulan and what happened to her after the war. I also love the spirit world introduced here and what these people believed back then. Super interesting!
I liked how this was written. At some points it was hard to follow but it wasn't that bad. I liked the characters and this world.
It's a decent duology, I liked book one the best.
Well, that ends super weird.... This is a duology and it ends with a small cliffhanger?
The beginning of this book was confusing. I really like the retelling of Mulan and what happened to her after the war. I also love the spirit world introduced here and what these people believed back then. Super interesting!
I liked how this was written. At some points it was hard to follow but it wasn't that bad. I liked the characters and this world.
It's a decent duology, I liked book one the best.
Want to read
February 2, 2025excuse me, THIS COVER 😍💚
next-reads
October 7, 2025have not started yet but uh— the back page has leo’s name on it. you’re so FREAKING kidding me. WHERE’S MY BOY SKY DONT PMO. this love triangle pmo.
January 22, 2025
Meilin and Lei better be endgame
August 19, 2025
3.75⭐️
Book Stats:
📖: 448 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Berkley
Format: ebook from Berkley
Series: Book 2/2 of The Dragon Spirit Duology
Themes:
💫: Oppression and Freedom
💫: How Power can Corrupt
💫: Overcoming Addiciton
Representation:
🩸: Addiction
🩸: Chinese mythology/characters
Tropes:
💗: Spirit Worlds
💗: Suppressed Power
🥵: Spice: 🌶️
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
General Thoughts:
It overall really enjoyed the ending to this duology. The first 50% of the book was a little slow going. It's a lot of set up for what comes later in the book and where the plot eventually ends up taking us. It was still interesting and the political interworkings were enough to keep my attention.
This book had much less of a "Mulan" feel than the first book. But I was OK with that because this book would've taken place after the movie so it made sense that it would separate further. I do like the progression of the plot and the development of the characters throughout the second book.
This book is much more fantasy forward than it is romance. I would not call this Romantasy, but fantasy with romance. So keep that in mind if you are looking for something more fantasy forward.
I was starting to get worried that the book would not wrap up well around the 85% mark when we still hadn't reached the climax. I do feel like the ending was slightly rushed and suffered for that. But it was still an overall satisfying conclusion, even though I wish I've gotten a little more time with it.
I recommend the duology as a fun dragon fantasy that has solid characters in world building
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Book Stats:
📖: 448 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Berkley
Format: ebook from Berkley
Series: Book 2/2 of The Dragon Spirit Duology
Themes:
💫: Oppression and Freedom
💫: How Power can Corrupt
💫: Overcoming Addiciton
Representation:
🩸: Addiction
🩸: Chinese mythology/characters
Tropes:
💗: Spirit Worlds
💗: Suppressed Power
🥵: Spice: 🌶️
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
General Thoughts:
It overall really enjoyed the ending to this duology. The first 50% of the book was a little slow going. It's a lot of set up for what comes later in the book and where the plot eventually ends up taking us. It was still interesting and the political interworkings were enough to keep my attention.
This book had much less of a "Mulan" feel than the first book. But I was OK with that because this book would've taken place after the movie so it made sense that it would separate further. I do like the progression of the plot and the development of the characters throughout the second book.
This book is much more fantasy forward than it is romance. I would not call this Romantasy, but fantasy with romance. So keep that in mind if you are looking for something more fantasy forward.
I was starting to get worried that the book would not wrap up well around the 85% mark when we still hadn't reached the climax. I do feel like the ending was slightly rushed and suffered for that. But it was still an overall satisfying conclusion, even though I wish I've gotten a little more time with it.
I recommend the duology as a fun dragon fantasy that has solid characters in world building
Disclaimer: I read this book as a eARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 24, 2025
2.5/5
I am devastated by my disappointment. The Dragon Wakes With Thunder was my most anticipated release of 2025 because The Night Ends With Fire was my favourite read of 2024.
This sequel lacked everything the first book had: a beautiful mix of nostalgia and originality, compelling characters, and a cohesive action pact plot.
I’ll start with an analysis of the characters. I loved Melin in the first book. I could relate to her struggles and desires; I highlighted so many meaningful quotes about power and patriarchy from the first book! I also loved that Melin was self assured in knowing what she wanted: it was easy to route for her and follow her goals. But in book two she was so lost, and rather than connecting with her struggle she felt inconsistent to me. Moreover, I was obsessed with the fact that Melin was always on the verge of becoming a villain - I really wished she actually DID become a villain in book two; instead Song has Melin inner monologuing endlessly about how she will be forgotten or written in history as a villain when all she wants is to go back to her life before the war - what? I understand that the author was trying to make meaningful analysis of the corruptive qualities of power, but I fee she failed to execute this as Melin just became a whiney lost character - very book two energy, rather than a conclusion to a duology. Maybe being a trilogy would have rectified this and we could go on more of a character growth journey with Melin that felt authentic, rather than out of character. I’m so sad, I loved book one Melin, she was a bad bitch. Furthermore, the author attempts another commentary about addiction but I don’t think it’s executed well because Melin felt like she was always at her weakest point and yet still capable of spirit wielding magic- she had no qi anymore so how was she capable of doing anything against Qinglong? I felt like I didn’t understand the lixia/qi balance, or lack therefore in Melin’s case.
As for Sky, I can’t fathom a true analysis because he read so basic. Everything he did felt out of character to me. I’m genuinely confused that he felt like an entirely different person than the character I fell in love with in book one. Everything about the narrative was so FORCED.
Winter was the only character who felt consistent to me.
Moving on, the plot was disjointed. The pacing of part 1 was very slow. I was intrigued by the court politics but I couldn’t understand why they were even there in the first place? In addition, the characters at court lacked complexity and, like Sky, became caricatures. The abrupt shift to the “rebels” and the late addition of another spirit seal - who was working with the Dragon, but not really working with the Dragon (which didn’t make sense to me) - did not make for a cohesive story.
I had a lot of problems with this book, but mostly I just didn’t enjoy it. I only finished it because I felt like I owed it to my favourite book (The Night Ends Woth Fire) to complete the story. Instead I would advise you to read NEWF as a standalone. This sequel shouldn’t exist as it feels like it really has nothing to do with the first book. I wish I had DNF’D it at the end of part 1.
Book 1 felt like a complex original fantasy with meaningful lessons and interesting characters.
Book 2 felt like a poorly executed trope soaked ya romantasy.
I wish I could erase book 2 from my memory and only have the joy that book 1 brought me.
I am devastated by my disappointment. The Dragon Wakes With Thunder was my most anticipated release of 2025 because The Night Ends With Fire was my favourite read of 2024.
This sequel lacked everything the first book had: a beautiful mix of nostalgia and originality, compelling characters, and a cohesive action pact plot.
I’ll start with an analysis of the characters. I loved Melin in the first book. I could relate to her struggles and desires; I highlighted so many meaningful quotes about power and patriarchy from the first book! I also loved that Melin was self assured in knowing what she wanted: it was easy to route for her and follow her goals. But in book two she was so lost, and rather than connecting with her struggle she felt inconsistent to me. Moreover, I was obsessed with the fact that Melin was always on the verge of becoming a villain - I really wished she actually DID become a villain in book two; instead Song has Melin inner monologuing endlessly about how she will be forgotten or written in history as a villain when all she wants is to go back to her life before the war - what? I understand that the author was trying to make meaningful analysis of the corruptive qualities of power, but I fee she failed to execute this as Melin just became a whiney lost character - very book two energy, rather than a conclusion to a duology. Maybe being a trilogy would have rectified this and we could go on more of a character growth journey with Melin that felt authentic, rather than out of character. I’m so sad, I loved book one Melin, she was a bad bitch. Furthermore, the author attempts another commentary about addiction but I don’t think it’s executed well because Melin felt like she was always at her weakest point and yet still capable of spirit wielding magic- she had no qi anymore so how was she capable of doing anything against Qinglong? I felt like I didn’t understand the lixia/qi balance, or lack therefore in Melin’s case.
As for Sky, I can’t fathom a true analysis because he read so basic. Everything he did felt out of character to me. I’m genuinely confused that he felt like an entirely different person than the character I fell in love with in book one. Everything about the narrative was so FORCED.
Winter was the only character who felt consistent to me.
Moving on, the plot was disjointed. The pacing of part 1 was very slow. I was intrigued by the court politics but I couldn’t understand why they were even there in the first place? In addition, the characters at court lacked complexity and, like Sky, became caricatures. The abrupt shift to the “rebels” and the late addition of another spirit seal - who was working with the Dragon, but not really working with the Dragon (which didn’t make sense to me) - did not make for a cohesive story.
I had a lot of problems with this book, but mostly I just didn’t enjoy it. I only finished it because I felt like I owed it to my favourite book (The Night Ends Woth Fire) to complete the story. Instead I would advise you to read NEWF as a standalone. This sequel shouldn’t exist as it feels like it really has nothing to do with the first book. I wish I had DNF’D it at the end of part 1.
Book 1 felt like a complex original fantasy with meaningful lessons and interesting characters.
Book 2 felt like a poorly executed trope soaked ya romantasy.
I wish I could erase book 2 from my memory and only have the joy that book 1 brought me.
August 13, 2025
What a strong and emotionally charged sequel! The Dragon Wakes with Thunder delivers more depth, higher stakes, and richer political intrigue than the first installment. While I felt the early chapters leaned a little too heavily on the palace politics, dragging the pace just a bit, it didn’t take long for the story to pull me right back in.
Meilin’s journey is truly the heart of this novel. I loved seeing how much she matured and how her experiences shaped her resolve. She’s no longer just the girl who defied the odds with a sword. She’s a legend carrying the weight of expectations, betrayal, and duty on her shoulders. Her emotional growth in this book felt earned and powerful.
The worldbuilding remains one of my favorite aspects of the series. K.X. Song has created such a lush, mythologically infused setting that feels alive with history and spirit. The continued presence of the sea dragon Qinglong adds an eerie, otherworldly layer that raises the tension and makes Meilin’s inner conflict even more gripping.
This was a truly satisfying and bittersweet conclusion. The character arcs were handled beautifully, and even the morally grey choices felt justified. It’s a story about sacrifice, legacy, and the painful cost of power, told with care and emotional resonance. I’m so glad I stuck with this series, and I’ll definitely be watching for whatever K.X. Song writes next.
My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Ace for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Meilin’s journey is truly the heart of this novel. I loved seeing how much she matured and how her experiences shaped her resolve. She’s no longer just the girl who defied the odds with a sword. She’s a legend carrying the weight of expectations, betrayal, and duty on her shoulders. Her emotional growth in this book felt earned and powerful.
The worldbuilding remains one of my favorite aspects of the series. K.X. Song has created such a lush, mythologically infused setting that feels alive with history and spirit. The continued presence of the sea dragon Qinglong adds an eerie, otherworldly layer that raises the tension and makes Meilin’s inner conflict even more gripping.
This was a truly satisfying and bittersweet conclusion. The character arcs were handled beautifully, and even the morally grey choices felt justified. It’s a story about sacrifice, legacy, and the painful cost of power, told with care and emotional resonance. I’m so glad I stuck with this series, and I’ll definitely be watching for whatever K.X. Song writes next.
My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Ace for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 20, 2025
I have to be honest and say I’m a bit let down by this one 😬. I adored the first instalment & it was a 5⭐️ read for me; this one just felt not as cohesive?
Positives:
- Lei…. & Meilin’s dynamic with Lei was the hard carry of this book
- the first 1/3 I was pretty locked in and felt like this was gonna be another 5⭐️
- I gotta give it to K. X. Song, her writing style is very addictive
Negatives:
- I feel like the story/plot/world all felt a little rushed and thrown together in this one?? It honestly kind of lost me :(
- Sky bro 🫠 He was so insufferable to read and I was down with his character arc but I also kinda feel like it felt forced and kinda out of nowhere after the build up of his character in the first book??? Idk, but he was actually so fucking annoying to read that it killed some of my enjoyment of this book
- the fucking love triangle dude oh my god……. Sky became actually insufferable and irredeemable and Song continuously toying with this “will they won’t they” even after all the heinous bs Sky was doing…… insane work (derogatory)
Positives:
- Lei…. & Meilin’s dynamic with Lei was the hard carry of this book
- the first 1/3 I was pretty locked in and felt like this was gonna be another 5⭐️
- I gotta give it to K. X. Song, her writing style is very addictive
Negatives:
- I feel like the story/plot/world all felt a little rushed and thrown together in this one?? It honestly kind of lost me :(
- Sky bro 🫠 He was so insufferable to read and I was down with his character arc but I also kinda feel like it felt forced and kinda out of nowhere after the build up of his character in the first book??? Idk, but he was actually so fucking annoying to read that it killed some of my enjoyment of this book
- the fucking love triangle dude oh my god……. Sky became actually insufferable and irredeemable and Song continuously toying with this “will they won’t they” even after all the heinous bs Sky was doing…… insane work (derogatory)
January 2, 2026
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ 3.5 stars . . . 1 1 / 3 0 / 2 5 !
🧷 # content warnings: misogyny, grief, death
( 01. ) overall thoughts !
the night ends with fire (book 1) was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2024, but i finished reading book 2 with many things to say. the first book had real friendships, emotional depth, a great heroine that embodies female rage, and a solid romance (despite being a love triangle). i went into the sequel beyond excited and it was to some extent entertaining but a lot of the author's decisions made the story feel weaker and less meaningful than book 1. i feel like i came into this sequel expecting a certain direction, but the author did many things completely different....and i'm not sure if they worked in her favour.
( 02. ) romance !
i can't imagine WHY anyone would ever like to read about love triangles. i feel they are just so unnecessary and add so many complications between the main character's relationships that aren't needed. however, kx song did a great job with the love triangle in book 1 of the series that even i felt torn between the two male leads. sky (male lead 1) is loyal, reasonable, loving and lei (male lead 2) is complex, misunderstood but both of them grounded meilin (the mc) in different ways. my biggest problem was how in this book the author was forcing the ending she wanted instead of letting it develop naturally. i felt blindsighted by how the author completely wrecked sky's character- someone who was a beloved character. none of his actions line up with who he is in book 1 even during the beginning of this book, and it doesn't feel like believable character growth. it feels intentional- just so the typical "dark, broody" second ml could look better.
( 03. ) relationships !
this series is a mulan retelling, and one of the best parts of mulan are the friendships. again book 1 captured this perfectly (if we disregard the ending 😭) but in this book there's almost no meaningful relationships outside of her romantic ones. we get it romance is important....but so are the relationships she builds with others and i felt they were either lacking or last-minute.
( 04. ) characters !
meilin's character genuinely infuriated me at times !! in book 1, she had so much depth and progression. her choices, her journey interested me. i was excited to see what she would achieve in this book but her entire arc is reduced to one thing "she craves power" "she wants to be the most powerful" "she wants people to know her power"...the author keeps repeating this idea but there's no deeper reason behind it. there's no purpose, mission or vision. her ambition isn't tied to protecting anyone, building anything, or even finding herself. it's just… ambition for the sake of ambition. and that's where i think the author completely botched her character. she could have used this book to develop off of these qualities, but didn't.
and lastly, instead of growing, meilin spends a lot of time pulled between two guys. 70% is her questioning whether she should be with sky, spending time with lei, then sky, then lei... and it's just this long, unnecessary cycle that i stopped caring for.
overall, i was entertained. the book has everything i love but it also left me frustrated because i know how strong this series can be especially because the first book is one of my favourites, but it just did not deliver.
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ pre read oh we are so back !!!
🧷 # content warnings: misogyny, grief, death
“ i had once believed pain to be private. but now i understood even your suffering could be shared, when someone knew you, knew the entirety of you-the secrets of your hidden hurts and old scars, the fears that kept you restless at night, the way you said one thing but truly meant another. ”
( 01. ) overall thoughts !
the night ends with fire (book 1) was one of my absolute favourite reads of 2024, but i finished reading book 2 with many things to say. the first book had real friendships, emotional depth, a great heroine that embodies female rage, and a solid romance (despite being a love triangle). i went into the sequel beyond excited and it was to some extent entertaining but a lot of the author's decisions made the story feel weaker and less meaningful than book 1. i feel like i came into this sequel expecting a certain direction, but the author did many things completely different....and i'm not sure if they worked in her favour.
( 02. ) romance !
i can't imagine WHY anyone would ever like to read about love triangles. i feel they are just so unnecessary and add so many complications between the main character's relationships that aren't needed. however, kx song did a great job with the love triangle in book 1 of the series that even i felt torn between the two male leads. sky (male lead 1) is loyal, reasonable, loving and lei (male lead 2) is complex, misunderstood but both of them grounded meilin (the mc) in different ways. my biggest problem was how in this book the author was forcing the ending she wanted instead of letting it develop naturally. i felt blindsighted by how the author completely wrecked sky's character- someone who was a beloved character. none of his actions line up with who he is in book 1 even during the beginning of this book, and it doesn't feel like believable character growth. it feels intentional- just so the typical "dark, broody" second ml could look better.
( 03. ) relationships !
this series is a mulan retelling, and one of the best parts of mulan are the friendships. again book 1 captured this perfectly (if we disregard the ending 😭) but in this book there's almost no meaningful relationships outside of her romantic ones. we get it romance is important....but so are the relationships she builds with others and i felt they were either lacking or last-minute.
( 04. ) characters !
meilin's character genuinely infuriated me at times !! in book 1, she had so much depth and progression. her choices, her journey interested me. i was excited to see what she would achieve in this book but her entire arc is reduced to one thing "she craves power" "she wants to be the most powerful" "she wants people to know her power"...the author keeps repeating this idea but there's no deeper reason behind it. there's no purpose, mission or vision. her ambition isn't tied to protecting anyone, building anything, or even finding herself. it's just… ambition for the sake of ambition. and that's where i think the author completely botched her character. she could have used this book to develop off of these qualities, but didn't.
and lastly, instead of growing, meilin spends a lot of time pulled between two guys. 70% is her questioning whether she should be with sky, spending time with lei, then sky, then lei... and it's just this long, unnecessary cycle that i stopped caring for.
overall, i was entertained. the book has everything i love but it also left me frustrated because i know how strong this series can be especially because the first book is one of my favourites, but it just did not deliver.
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ pre read oh we are so back !!!
August 21, 2025
“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.”
A stunning conclusion to this duology, The Dragon Wakes with Thunder is a tale of self-discovery and growth that explores power dynamics, gender roles and expectations, and the cost of wielding power. It is also a tale of love, loss, redemption, and the legacies we leave behind.
The ending is bittersweet, haunting, yet realistic.
I'd be very open to reading more stories set in this universe.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing/Ace for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A stunning conclusion to this duology, The Dragon Wakes with Thunder is a tale of self-discovery and growth that explores power dynamics, gender roles and expectations, and the cost of wielding power. It is also a tale of love, loss, redemption, and the legacies we leave behind.
The ending is bittersweet, haunting, yet realistic.
I'd be very open to reading more stories set in this universe.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing/Ace for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 24, 2025
i binged this in one night, got 2 hours of sleep before work, and i regret nothing
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THE COVER IS SO PRETTY AND IT MATCHES BOOK 1!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!
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THE COVER IS SO PRETTY AND IT MATCHES BOOK 1!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!
December 30, 2025
The Dragon Wakes with Thunder was a less-than-satisfying book. In this book Meilin seeks to heal the corruption wrought on her body from the power of the seal. Meilin goes through tremendous turmoil, battling many forces but mostly herself. I'm just not sure what the overall message of the book is. I also can't tell if there will be another one or if this was the final book. It doesn't feel like an ending despite having an epilogue
This book was a hot mess and honestly I just couldn't recommend the first book based off of the ending. Meilin was a fascinating character but I felt a lot of her thinking and choices were out of place from how she was in the first book.
The pacing was also way off, It seemed like she had more in mind for a whole other book but crammed it into an epilogue. The adventure is at a snails pace for the first 2/3 of the book and then there's an underwhelming ending crammed into the last 10 percent.
This book is a huge disappointment and the only highlight is the writing style but that means nothing if the story sucks and this sucked.
This book was a hot mess and honestly I just couldn't recommend the first book based off of the ending. Meilin was a fascinating character but I felt a lot of her thinking and choices were out of place from how she was in the first book.
The pacing was also way off, It seemed like she had more in mind for a whole other book but crammed it into an epilogue. The adventure is at a snails pace for the first 2/3 of the book and then there's an underwhelming ending crammed into the last 10 percent.
This book is a huge disappointment and the only highlight is the writing style but that means nothing if the story sucks and this sucked.
May 22, 2025
ARC Read - thank you NetGalley! Releases August 2025. The final book in the Dragon Spirit duology. This is a Milan inspired, Asian fantasy novel that follows Meilin as the FMC.
This book picks up right where we left off in The Night Ends With Fire - Meilin is exposed as a woman in the army and given the choice of returning to being a powerless woman or being imprisoned. Knowing that both are cages, she chooses to be imprisoned. So after defeating the Phoenix cardinal spirit and saving everyone - she loses everything. Until - Sky comes up with a plan to marry her and free her from prison. But thus begins a complex game of politics, royalty and revenge. And with the tricky handsome rival kingdom prince Lei also in the picture, Meilin is confused by her own loyalties and heart. Also, the dragon spirit that lives within her has plans of its own, and might just drain the life out of her to see its will done. It’s a complex tale with many aspects - brings to light issues of gender equality and what true freedom is.
I found this book a lot slower than the first. I found it took me a lot longer to get through - that being said I have a lot going on at the moment and that could also be why I had some times of waning interest in the story. Such a beautiful world and setting this author has created though.
This book picks up right where we left off in The Night Ends With Fire - Meilin is exposed as a woman in the army and given the choice of returning to being a powerless woman or being imprisoned. Knowing that both are cages, she chooses to be imprisoned. So after defeating the Phoenix cardinal spirit and saving everyone - she loses everything. Until - Sky comes up with a plan to marry her and free her from prison. But thus begins a complex game of politics, royalty and revenge. And with the tricky handsome rival kingdom prince Lei also in the picture, Meilin is confused by her own loyalties and heart. Also, the dragon spirit that lives within her has plans of its own, and might just drain the life out of her to see its will done. It’s a complex tale with many aspects - brings to light issues of gender equality and what true freedom is.
I found this book a lot slower than the first. I found it took me a lot longer to get through - that being said I have a lot going on at the moment and that could also be why I had some times of waning interest in the story. Such a beautiful world and setting this author has created though.
September 22, 2025
I’ve been telling people that they need to pick up The Night Ends with Fire since March and now that I’ve finished the duology, I have a renewed wave of urgency to tell you, again, to PICK UP THIS DUOLOGY!
This book dives deep into the cost of power and how the drive for fame and influence affects a person but it’s presented in an interesting way because obviously this is a fantasy book and the power I’m speaking of is magic but the practical application of the lessons the FMC learns is very realistic. I think this story was the perfect length and such a great option if you’re looking for something within the fantasy genre that’s not too much of a commitment but still packs a punch. I’m definitely going to be rereading this duology at some point because it was such an impactful read.
This book dives deep into the cost of power and how the drive for fame and influence affects a person but it’s presented in an interesting way because obviously this is a fantasy book and the power I’m speaking of is magic but the practical application of the lessons the FMC learns is very realistic. I think this story was the perfect length and such a great option if you’re looking for something within the fantasy genre that’s not too much of a commitment but still packs a punch. I’m definitely going to be rereading this duology at some point because it was such an impactful read.
November 4, 2025
2.5 stars. I'm so sad that I'm rating this so low. This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I was so excited to wrap up the duology. I even ordered the Fairyloot edition so they would match. I loved the first book. I gave it 5 stars because I love Mulan, and I thought it was so fun. I loved the romance of the first book. I feel like everything fell apart in the second book. The first half was Meilin doing some political scheming for literally NO reason. I wouldn't have minded, but it was literally the whole first half of the book. The romance fell apart. I'm happy she ended up with the guy I was rooting for in book one, but it was just soooooo underwhelming. The other guy started acting super freaking awful, and that was insanely out of character for him. The ending was also underwhelming. I don't regret reading the first book, and I recommend it if you love Mulan. Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book.
August 21, 2025
Unfortunately, this was a massive miss for me. The 1st book was on shaky ground to begin with, and this follow up just made the whole story go downhill. It read like a sequel that didn't need to exist, and I'm comfortable saying that this all should've just been one 600 pg book. Splitting it in half did it no favors considering book 1 had way more active plot and characters worth rooting for.
This book made Meilin completely unlikeable. I was not rooting for her at any moment and I found it hard to believe that anyone was rooting for her. She was selfish and power hungry and that would be fine but the way she's written wants you to believe she's doing it to be free or that she's doing it to help others. Like, no! She's doing it because she's corrupted. Her motivations regularly conflicted with her actions and it took her the whole book to become honest with herself about what she had going on.
Her continuous trust of the dragon even though the entirety of book 1 is her realizing the dragon is power hungry and evil makes no sense. The whole reason you're in this situation to begin with is because of the dragon!!!!
The love story? Why does it exist? I didn't like either of the romance choices in book 1 but if I had to pick one, I would've chosen Sky. This entire story is character assassination on his behalf. Meilin treats him terribly chapter after chapter and he's so down bad and in love until suddenly, he loves her so much that he's physically abusing her? HUH? It felt so out of left field for his character that I was getting whiplash. I know it was supposed to be type of representation for how all the men in her life did her dirty and can't be trusted but .....wrong vessel for that message.
The romance ends up switching to Lei who is also in love with her while attacking her and really it had me exhausted. You need to be single sis!
To add, the plot was slow and had nothing interesting making me want to keep reading. The palace politics were interesting to an extent, but again, I struggled finding someone to root for. Everyone can't be evil. There needs to be someone willing to do good to make this all worth it in the end.
By the halfway point I was reading just to read and get it over with. Sad that a story that started off interesting ended so badly.
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Berkley!
This book made Meilin completely unlikeable. I was not rooting for her at any moment and I found it hard to believe that anyone was rooting for her. She was selfish and power hungry and that would be fine but the way she's written wants you to believe she's doing it to be free or that she's doing it to help others. Like, no! She's doing it because she's corrupted. Her motivations regularly conflicted with her actions and it took her the whole book to become honest with herself about what she had going on.
Her continuous trust of the dragon even though the entirety of book 1 is her realizing the dragon is power hungry and evil makes no sense. The whole reason you're in this situation to begin with is because of the dragon!!!!
The love story? Why does it exist? I didn't like either of the romance choices in book 1 but if I had to pick one, I would've chosen Sky. This entire story is character assassination on his behalf. Meilin treats him terribly chapter after chapter and he's so down bad and in love until suddenly, he loves her so much that he's physically abusing her? HUH? It felt so out of left field for his character that I was getting whiplash. I know it was supposed to be type of representation for how all the men in her life did her dirty and can't be trusted but .....wrong vessel for that message.
The romance ends up switching to Lei who is also in love with her while attacking her and really it had me exhausted. You need to be single sis!
To add, the plot was slow and had nothing interesting making me want to keep reading. The palace politics were interesting to an extent, but again, I struggled finding someone to root for. Everyone can't be evil. There needs to be someone willing to do good to make this all worth it in the end.
By the halfway point I was reading just to read and get it over with. Sad that a story that started off interesting ended so badly.
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Berkley!
April 17, 2025
Overall I enjoyed The dragon Wakes with Thunder more than the first book! The sequel felt more original and had a more distinct identity as we moved further away from the initial Mulan comparisons. Plus we get more character development, action, and political intrigue than we did in the first book. For me the best part of the book was Meilin's journey and character development. Her growth in this book was great to see especially since she is dealing with betrayal, her power, and her relationships. This book does a better job of fleshing out her romantic relationships but they still seemed a little confusing at times. Her relationship with Sky was confusing at the beginning based on how the first book ended with him throwing her in prison but then immediately gets her out of prison and proposes at the start of book two. Now while we get more from the love triangle it still felt rushed at times. I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles but truly I never mind when it's the villain and the girl.
The stakes were higher in this book and I enjoyed the added suspense from the political tension throughout the book. I love the continued use of mythological elements and really enjoy the main character and world building. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend to those who love fairytale retellings!
The stakes were higher in this book and I enjoyed the added suspense from the political tension throughout the book. I love the continued use of mythological elements and really enjoy the main character and world building. Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend to those who love fairytale retellings!
August 28, 2025
eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Rating - 5⭐️
This is the sequel and conclusion to The Night Ends with Fire duology, but let me tell you, I WANT MOREEEE!!!😩 I NEED A NOVELLA RIGHT NOW PLEASEEEE!!😩 Also, why is the author always so good at letting me roam free with my delulu scenarios because the amount of scenarios I’ve imagined after that ending is diabolical. No book has ever made me want to write fan fiction so bad.
This book was action-packed and unpredictable, you really had no idea what could happen next. The world building gets expanded and the magic system gets explored more. There’s a lot of symbolism and exploration of power and ambition and the price that Meilin is has to pay for it. This sequel also reminded me of the court intrigue from The Apothecary Diaries and how women survive in a patriarchal society, so if you like The Apothecary Diaries do give these books a try 👀.
The love triangle made me wanna strangle a SPECIFIC love interest to death but you can probably guess who 🤣 whereas I wanted to give the other love interest a big hug 🥹. On a serious note, I really love how the love triangle was not added just for the sake of juicy drama but it was very symbolic of what Meilin wanted for herself: would she choose freedom and the unknown OR would she choose safety and security?
Overall, I feel like all the negative and positive reactions and emotions I had with the plot choices were done on purpose by the author as this feels like a mirror to the reality of what a lot of women such as Meilin faced in history and still do in present day.
Rating - 5⭐️
This is the sequel and conclusion to The Night Ends with Fire duology, but let me tell you, I WANT MOREEEE!!!😩 I NEED A NOVELLA RIGHT NOW PLEASEEEE!!😩 Also, why is the author always so good at letting me roam free with my delulu scenarios because the amount of scenarios I’ve imagined after that ending is diabolical. No book has ever made me want to write fan fiction so bad.
This book was action-packed and unpredictable, you really had no idea what could happen next. The world building gets expanded and the magic system gets explored more. There’s a lot of symbolism and exploration of power and ambition and the price that Meilin is has to pay for it. This sequel also reminded me of the court intrigue from The Apothecary Diaries and how women survive in a patriarchal society, so if you like The Apothecary Diaries do give these books a try 👀.
The love triangle made me wanna strangle a SPECIFIC love interest to death but you can probably guess who 🤣 whereas I wanted to give the other love interest a big hug 🥹. On a serious note, I really love how the love triangle was not added just for the sake of juicy drama but it was very symbolic of what Meilin wanted for herself: would she choose freedom and the unknown OR would she choose safety and security?
Overall, I feel like all the negative and positive reactions and emotions I had with the plot choices were done on purpose by the author as this feels like a mirror to the reality of what a lot of women such as Meilin faced in history and still do in present day.
June 30, 2025
First of all, many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’m very glad this picked up right where we left off with the previous book, which made it pretty easy to get drawn back into the story. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the first book, but it was still a satisfying read to me nonetheless!!
The biggest struggle I encountered had to do with the main character, Meilin. Don’t get me wrong I love her, but in this sequel she tended to be a bit all over the place regarding her feelings/motivations. Which is fine, we’ve all been there, but it made it a bit more difficult for me to keep up with her pace. At moments it felt like those kinds of movies where if you’d look away for a second, you would miss a vital plotpoint, what would cause you to not understand the rest of the movie.
On a more positive note, I was a big fan of the romantical decisions Meilin made. Without going into spoilery teritory, she picked the right guy. And and a heavy fuck you to the other one (sorry not sorry).
The plot lost me a little in the middle of the book, but the ending definitely made up for it in my opinion :)
I’m very glad this picked up right where we left off with the previous book, which made it pretty easy to get drawn back into the story. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did the first book, but it was still a satisfying read to me nonetheless!!
The biggest struggle I encountered had to do with the main character, Meilin. Don’t get me wrong I love her, but in this sequel she tended to be a bit all over the place regarding her feelings/motivations. Which is fine, we’ve all been there, but it made it a bit more difficult for me to keep up with her pace. At moments it felt like those kinds of movies where if you’d look away for a second, you would miss a vital plotpoint, what would cause you to not understand the rest of the movie.
On a more positive note, I was a big fan of the romantical decisions Meilin made. Without going into spoilery teritory, she picked the right guy. And and a heavy fuck you to the other one (sorry not sorry).
The plot lost me a little in the middle of the book, but the ending definitely made up for it in my opinion :)
April 8, 2025
such a perfect ending!! Hai Meilin really is that girl
August 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Ace for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Dragon Wakes With Thunder was a really satisfying end to this duology with a great character arc for Meilin. I did enjoy Night Ends With Fire more, but I do love how this duology wrapped up overall.
Meilin’s character was written so well and I really felt the duality between wanting power and the consequences of seeking that power. The character depth in this book expanded so much more from the first book and we really got to see Meilin’s selfishness and drive, but also her desire to break the pattern and not fall prey to being consumed by power. This was done so well throughout this duology and I appreciate this aspect so much.
This is definitely slower paced with more character development and political maneuvering than the first book. I’m glad we got more character work and really got to see Meilin continue to work through her need to maintain her power to feel free and the possibility that she is a prisoner to her need for power. You can really tell how much she is struggling to figure out what she wants, what the dragon wants, and what she will do. With more character depth and politics, the pace was a lot slower than the first book and that’s something I wasn’t expecting so it took a while for me to adjust to that. The pace is pretty slow up until the end where it does pick up quite a bit and it feels a bit rushed to get to the end. There was this big build up the entire book and I feel like we rushed through it and we could have spent more time with that plot point.
While the romance was a small subplot in book 1, it took more of a prominent role in book 2. I didn’t like the love triangle. It’s not my favorite trope in general, but I just didn’t really like how the romance was done in this book. It felt more organic in book 1, like things were slowly connecting and developing. In this book, it just went 0-100 and felt like insta love even though they had spent time together before. With how much slower paced this book was, I feel we could have drawn out the romance plot to not feel like we immediately jumped into level 100.
Regardless, the ending was really strong and I love how it ended. I really felt the struggle for Meilin throughout the duology and I really had no idea what she would end up doing, which solidifies how well her internal struggle was written.
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the duology and remember, never trust a dragon.
Dragon Wakes With Thunder was a really satisfying end to this duology with a great character arc for Meilin. I did enjoy Night Ends With Fire more, but I do love how this duology wrapped up overall.
Meilin’s character was written so well and I really felt the duality between wanting power and the consequences of seeking that power. The character depth in this book expanded so much more from the first book and we really got to see Meilin’s selfishness and drive, but also her desire to break the pattern and not fall prey to being consumed by power. This was done so well throughout this duology and I appreciate this aspect so much.
This is definitely slower paced with more character development and political maneuvering than the first book. I’m glad we got more character work and really got to see Meilin continue to work through her need to maintain her power to feel free and the possibility that she is a prisoner to her need for power. You can really tell how much she is struggling to figure out what she wants, what the dragon wants, and what she will do. With more character depth and politics, the pace was a lot slower than the first book and that’s something I wasn’t expecting so it took a while for me to adjust to that. The pace is pretty slow up until the end where it does pick up quite a bit and it feels a bit rushed to get to the end. There was this big build up the entire book and I feel like we rushed through it and we could have spent more time with that plot point.
While the romance was a small subplot in book 1, it took more of a prominent role in book 2. I didn’t like the love triangle. It’s not my favorite trope in general, but I just didn’t really like how the romance was done in this book. It felt more organic in book 1, like things were slowly connecting and developing. In this book, it just went 0-100 and felt like insta love even though they had spent time together before. With how much slower paced this book was, I feel we could have drawn out the romance plot to not feel like we immediately jumped into level 100.
Regardless, the ending was really strong and I love how it ended. I really felt the struggle for Meilin throughout the duology and I really had no idea what she would end up doing, which solidifies how well her internal struggle was written.
I really enjoyed this conclusion to the duology and remember, never trust a dragon.
January 5, 2026
1. The Night Ends with Fire ★★★
“Only, have you ever wondered whether you really want what you worked so hard to secure?”
I read The Night Ends with Fire in 2024, and while the protagonist frustrated me immensely, I liked it enough to eagerly anticipate this second and final installment. Palace intrigues, when done well, are something I tend to enjoy reading about. Add to that the way things ended in the first book and the cardinal spirits, and The Dragon Wakes with Thunder had all the ingredients for a story I would enjoy. However, that wasn’t the case.
Meilin spends the first part of this book scheming in a place where tensions are high because everyone wants to inherit the throne. But the way these schemes unfold felt rushed; an entire book could have been dedicated to this aspect to make the stakes feel higher. And just when Meilin finally seems to see the light regarding a certain character, she goes and, at the first opportunity, forgives or saves him again and again. All the evolution she underwent toward the end of the first book is reversed for most of this sequel.
New characters are introduced, but they don’t have much impact because the story focuses on tying up loose ends in the main plot. The side characters from the first book either don’t appear at all or are only there briefly. Once again, Lei overshadowed the rest of the cast, although he’s also quite relegated to the sidelines for a good part of the story. Overall, I got the feeling that all the characters were there merely to support the plot, never becoming fully developed.
In short, I was quite disappointed with The Dragon Wakes with Thunder. I think the author tried to cram too much into a single book and only succeeded in making everything feel rushed and abrupt. I appreciated the critique of how women are always erased from history when they try to make a name for themselves, but otherwise, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending.
November 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, K.X. Song, and Berkley Publishing for this ARC. The following is my honest review.
If you were scared to pick up this sequel because The Night Ends With Fire felt impossible to follow…um I’m with ya & welcome to the club. I waited, stalled, stared at it for way too long. However, K.X. Song delivered a sequel that stands up to the first.
Is the first book still my favorite? Yes. Does that diminish this one? Not even a little.
What stood out most is how deeply this installment leans into power, legacy, and the quiet (and not-so-quiet) defiance of women who refuse to accept the world as men built it. The feminist heart of this series is strong, steady, and sometimes so sharp it cuts.
The prose? Gorgeous. Lyrical without drowning in itself. Cinematic without feeling overworked.
Now… the spice scene. We don’t have to linger. Let’s just say: it was there. It was a choice. It was perhaps not my favorite choice. But one awkward scene does not break a book this solid.
Overall, a worthy continuation:If you loved Book 1, you’re safe—you’re in good hands. If you feared disappointment, consider this your reassurance.
K.X. Song still has the range.
If you were scared to pick up this sequel because The Night Ends With Fire felt impossible to follow…um I’m with ya & welcome to the club. I waited, stalled, stared at it for way too long. However, K.X. Song delivered a sequel that stands up to the first.
Is the first book still my favorite? Yes. Does that diminish this one? Not even a little.
What stood out most is how deeply this installment leans into power, legacy, and the quiet (and not-so-quiet) defiance of women who refuse to accept the world as men built it. The feminist heart of this series is strong, steady, and sometimes so sharp it cuts.
The prose? Gorgeous. Lyrical without drowning in itself. Cinematic without feeling overworked.
Now… the spice scene. We don’t have to linger. Let’s just say: it was there. It was a choice. It was perhaps not my favorite choice. But one awkward scene does not break a book this solid.
Overall, a worthy continuation:If you loved Book 1, you’re safe—you’re in good hands. If you feared disappointment, consider this your reassurance.
K.X. Song still has the range.
June 13, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group for the digital advance reader copy.
A really good sequel, however I’m rating it slightly lower than the previous book because I had minor issues with some of the characterization in the story (like one of Meilin’s biggest flaws being her trust in everyone, but the single character she doesn’t trust is the one who repeatedly sticks their neck out for her & also Sky abruptly calling her a whore 💀..)
I didn’t love the ending and thought it felt a bit sudden, but overall not terrible.
Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group for the digital advance reader copy.
A really good sequel, however I’m rating it slightly lower than the previous book because I had minor issues with some of the characterization in the story (like one of Meilin’s biggest flaws being her trust in everyone, but the single character she doesn’t trust is the one who repeatedly sticks their neck out for her & also Sky abruptly calling her a whore 💀..)
I didn’t love the ending and thought it felt a bit sudden, but overall not terrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
Thanks to Berkley - Ace Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copies of this book!
THE NIGHT ENDS WITH FIRE was one of my very favorite reads of 2024, making THE DRAGON WAKES WITH THUNDER one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I am happy to say that I went in with high expectations and K. X. Song still blew them out of the water, and I screamed a happy scream when I opened the audiobook to find that it’s narrated by my fave, Natalie Naudus.
I *love* a fantasy duology and this one will forever be one of my favorites. It’s a dark fantasy, feminist retelling of Mulan, and it’s such a dynamic story with raw characters, so much action (war / spirits / sexism / court intrigue) and romance. It’s completely immersive and I love that even though these are thick fantasy books, I fly through them because I am incapable of putting them down.
The development from book 1 to 2 in all areas was phenomenal, with a little spotlight on the romance. While this is definitely a romantic fantasy and not a romantasy (there’s a difference!), THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A LOVE TRIANGLE and the relationships here were just dreamy… but I won’t say more.
Now… that ending. I read it twice. Kudos, K. X. Song. It took my breath away. I am both satisfied and unsatisfied and feeling some complicated feelings… and I would absolutely (is it too soon to say turtley?) read more in this world like if maybe there was another connected duology or something. 👀
THE NIGHT ENDS WITH FIRE was one of my very favorite reads of 2024, making THE DRAGON WAKES WITH THUNDER one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I am happy to say that I went in with high expectations and K. X. Song still blew them out of the water, and I screamed a happy scream when I opened the audiobook to find that it’s narrated by my fave, Natalie Naudus.
I *love* a fantasy duology and this one will forever be one of my favorites. It’s a dark fantasy, feminist retelling of Mulan, and it’s such a dynamic story with raw characters, so much action (war / spirits / sexism / court intrigue) and romance. It’s completely immersive and I love that even though these are thick fantasy books, I fly through them because I am incapable of putting them down.
The development from book 1 to 2 in all areas was phenomenal, with a little spotlight on the romance. While this is definitely a romantic fantasy and not a romantasy (there’s a difference!), THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A LOVE TRIANGLE and the relationships here were just dreamy… but I won’t say more.
Now… that ending. I read it twice. Kudos, K. X. Song. It took my breath away. I am both satisfied and unsatisfied and feeling some complicated feelings… and I would absolutely (is it too soon to say turtley?) read more in this world like if maybe there was another connected duology or something. 👀
December 10, 2025
Um what just happened. I fear personally that was the least satisfying ending that could’ve happened to be quite honest with you. But the thing is, I should’ve expected it especially with the way Hai Meilin is. That ending is very on brand for her and to be honest, maybe I was the crazy one to think she would change LOL
But alas, I do think the story telling is really interesting and I of course love a morally grey FMC but this was a little too on the nose for me personally. It was too close to reality with the aspects of humanity that was brought up and because of that I wasn’t lost in a world that I could escape too.
But alas, I do think the story telling is really interesting and I of course love a morally grey FMC but this was a little too on the nose for me personally. It was too close to reality with the aspects of humanity that was brought up and because of that I wasn’t lost in a world that I could escape too.
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