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An Auction of Souls #1
An Auction of Souls
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26An epic adventure inspired by Chinese mythology about an enterprising girl thrust into a fantastical quest to save her world from total destruction. A start to a new duology from Amber Chen, perfect for fans of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom and A Forgery of Fate!
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother run a legendary auction house, Meng Wu—the House of Dreams. But when a mysterious traveler arrives bearing a fragment of a soul, all that Lingxi knows changes in an instant. Her grandmother mysteriously vanishes, and restless spirits descend upon Meng Wu.
Then two unlikely allies—Yan Jun and Yan Shan, guardians of hell itself—come to Lingxi's aid, revealing a shocking secret about the only home she's ever Meng Wu sits upon the gateway to hell, and her grandmother serves the god of the underworld himself.
Soon, Lingxi joins her two companions on a perilous journey to find her grandmother and unravel the mystery behind the dangerous fragment of soul. Along the way, the trio must outsmart humans, gods, and demons alike who try to stand in their way—before hell is let loose on earth.
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother run a legendary auction house, Meng Wu—the House of Dreams. But when a mysterious traveler arrives bearing a fragment of a soul, all that Lingxi knows changes in an instant. Her grandmother mysteriously vanishes, and restless spirits descend upon Meng Wu.
Then two unlikely allies—Yan Jun and Yan Shan, guardians of hell itself—come to Lingxi's aid, revealing a shocking secret about the only home she's ever Meng Wu sits upon the gateway to hell, and her grandmother serves the god of the underworld himself.
Soon, Lingxi joins her two companions on a perilous journey to find her grandmother and unravel the mystery behind the dangerous fragment of soul. Along the way, the trio must outsmart humans, gods, and demons alike who try to stand in their way—before hell is let loose on earth.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Amber Chen
3 books517 followersAmber Chen is the UK #1 bestselling author of the YA silkpunk fantasy novel, Of Jade and Dragons.
She is currently based in sweltering Singapore and spends much of her free time living within Chinese fantasy novels and dramas. She also drinks one too many cups of bubble tea. One of her webnovels, The Cutting Edge, has been adapted for television.
This GR account is managed by a friend. If you would like to interact with Amber directly, head over to IG or Tiktok @amberwrites88 !
She is currently based in sweltering Singapore and spends much of her free time living within Chinese fantasy novels and dramas. She also drinks one too many cups of bubble tea. One of her webnovels, The Cutting Edge, has been adapted for television.
This GR account is managed by a friend. If you would like to interact with Amber directly, head over to IG or Tiktok @amberwrites88 !
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Did Not Finish
September 1, 2026DNF @ 21%
This was too young YA for me (simple plotline and characterization) and I prefer older YA. Despite that, I think that this would be perfect for MG readers transitioning into YA or adults wanting a simpler fantasy novel. The descriptions are so lush and vibrant that I immediately thought of Studio Ghibli. (I mean, they're literally flying through the air on a giant flying sword and traveling to different realms lol)
If you're looking for that specific brand of magic and adventure, then this would definitely fit the bill.
Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
This was too young YA for me (simple plotline and characterization) and I prefer older YA. Despite that, I think that this would be perfect for MG readers transitioning into YA or adults wanting a simpler fantasy novel. The descriptions are so lush and vibrant that I immediately thought of Studio Ghibli. (I mean, they're literally flying through the air on a giant flying sword and traveling to different realms lol)
If you're looking for that specific brand of magic and adventure, then this would definitely fit the bill.
Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
Want to Read
October 9, 2025"YA fantasy duology that follows a girl who runs a legendary magical auction house, whose life is upended after a stranger shows up wanting to sell a soul"
tbr-fantasies
March 17, 2025So down bad for OJAD and its sequel that this is an instant to-read
August 24, 2026
An Auction of Souls follows the journey of Meng Lingxi after the disappearance of her grandmother and the closing of the gates of hell. Lingxi is embarks on a quest to find her grandmother, aided by Yan Jun and Yan Shan, two young guardians of the underworld.
The characters in this story are very compelling and three dimensional. As they form relationships, the characters become even more interesting and endearing. There is a sweet slow burn romance between Lingxi and one of her companions.
I really enjoyed the world building in this story. Chen does a great job of creating a complex world without overloading the reader with unnecessary detail. I enjoyed the twists towards the end.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, this is a definite recommend for any teen collection.
The characters in this story are very compelling and three dimensional. As they form relationships, the characters become even more interesting and endearing. There is a sweet slow burn romance between Lingxi and one of her companions.
I really enjoyed the world building in this story. Chen does a great job of creating a complex world without overloading the reader with unnecessary detail. I enjoyed the twists towards the end.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, this is a definite recommend for any teen collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a great time reading An Auction of Souls. I am often confused when I read a book based on Chinese mythology but the author did a very good job here at explaining the different aspects of the mythology present in the book.
It's a simple enough plot but I was invested all the way and there's quite the plot twist at the end.
My favourite part was the characters especially the MFC Lingxi. She's greedy, a bit grumpy, not always very brave, she has questionable morals but I loved her from the very first chapter and I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the book.
I can't wait for book 2.
It's a simple enough plot but I was invested all the way and there's quite the plot twist at the end.
My favourite part was the characters especially the MFC Lingxi. She's greedy, a bit grumpy, not always very brave, she has questionable morals but I loved her from the very first chapter and I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the book.
I can't wait for book 2.
August 23, 2026
4.5 stars
Thank you so much to the publisher and author for sending me an arc copy of this book.
Pick this one up!!! I honestly can’t say enough good things about this story. Full of magic, quests, gods and demons, and story telling— this book has quickly become a new favorite!
An Auction of Souls is an absolutely gorgeous fantasy world with equally incredible characters. Every single character played such an integral role in the story. They were so multi-faceted. I enjoyed watching them all grow and change throughout the story, especially Lingxi!
The imagery was so vivid that I could visualize myself within the book! The author added soooo much into this book. It was quick-paced throughout, and yet there was still so much world and character building.
A must read for anyone that loves fantasy! I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you so much to the publisher and author for sending me an arc copy of this book.
Pick this one up!!! I honestly can’t say enough good things about this story. Full of magic, quests, gods and demons, and story telling— this book has quickly become a new favorite!
An Auction of Souls is an absolutely gorgeous fantasy world with equally incredible characters. Every single character played such an integral role in the story. They were so multi-faceted. I enjoyed watching them all grow and change throughout the story, especially Lingxi!
The imagery was so vivid that I could visualize myself within the book! The author added soooo much into this book. It was quick-paced throughout, and yet there was still so much world and character building.
A must read for anyone that loves fantasy! I can’t wait for the next book!
Did Not Finish
August 11, 2026DNF at 7% (Read Chapter 1)
This book reads a lot younger than I was anticipating. The protagonist reads like a middle-grade (12- or 13-year-old) character rather than the older YA protagonist I usually prefer to read about.
I also didn’t feel all that connected to our protagonist Lingxi. The way she acted in the opening chapter made her unlikable, which I don’t mind… But I don’t understand her reasoning for being as heartless as she came across (and her being abandoned by her own parents wasn’t enough for me).
So I’ve decided to DNF this book. I hope that this book will continue to find its audience though!
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
This book reads a lot younger than I was anticipating. The protagonist reads like a middle-grade (12- or 13-year-old) character rather than the older YA protagonist I usually prefer to read about.
I also didn’t feel all that connected to our protagonist Lingxi. The way she acted in the opening chapter made her unlikable, which I don’t mind… But I don’t understand her reasoning for being as heartless as she came across (and her being abandoned by her own parents wasn’t enough for me).
So I’ve decided to DNF this book. I hope that this book will continue to find its audience though!
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
Want to Read
March 17, 2025Mar 17, 2025
Excited for this one!! 💫
Excited for this one!! 💫
July 18, 2026
To save her grandmother, Meng Lingxi searches far and wide for ancient objects that will show her the way. With her supernatural companions, she discovers some secrets may be better off buried. A great introduction to xianxia.
September 11, 2026
And when I thought I knew what the ending was bringing, Amber Chen looked me dead in the eyes and said “not exactly.” What an intriguing story. This is the first book I’ve read that’s genuinely rooted in Chinese mythology, and it was quite the introduction.
I loved how the core of the world was built around reincarnation and the passage of souls into their new life. It was written in a way that felt somewhat new to me, or at least different from what I’m used to, and I found myself wanting to know more the deeper I got into it.
A lot of times I forgot how old the protagonist actually was, and I don’t mean that as a criticism. She’s only 17, but she’s already carrying the weight of running the auction house entirely on her own, and that responsibility ages her in a way that comes through clearly on the page. You see her being young in the moments where she makes questionable decisions or spirals over fears that don’t fully hold up under scrutiny, but you also see her go tough and steady when the situation calls for it, shaped by the life she’s had to live and the thick skin she’s had to grow while keeping the auction house afloat.
Something else that stood out was how fast paced the book is. I’m used to stories that give themselves more room to breathe between the big moments, and that space just isn’t really present here. We’re constantly moving from one quest into the next almost as soon as the last one wraps up.
That same quality ended up being the thing that held the book back for me too. I found it hard to connect deeply with the characters, specifically because the pacing left so little room for the moments that build that connection. We’d get a glimpse into something important from Lingxi’s past, only for the story to barely let it land before pulling us into the next crisis. That pattern repeated enough times throughout the book that I started questioning whether sacrificing those quieter moments was actually worth the trade-off.
When I dwelled on this same fact, I started to suspect it came down to who the book is written for. The pacing and the way it avoids dwelling on interiority or backstory reads like a choice made with a younger audience in mind, and if that’s the intent, it makes sense. A story that doesn’t ask its reader to sit with heavy emotional beats for long stretches is easier to stay hooked on if you’re a younger reader who doesn’t necessarily want that. Had this been marketed toward adults, I think I would have needed more from the world building and the emotional pacing to be fully satisfied.
On the subject of world building, I also think a glossary would have gone a long way. Terms like “qi” come up often throughout the book, and having concepts like that explained early on would have saved me the trouble of pausing to look them up. That’s likely a personal quirk more than an objective flaw, since my unfamiliarity with Chinese mythology is exactly what made the world feel fresh to me in the first place, but I don’t think it’s fair to assume every reader walks in with that context already. If not a glossary, a quick note early in the story, even just a line or two the first time an unfamiliar concept appears, would have made the experience smoother without taking anything away from how original the world felt.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fast paced YA with a strong foundation in Chinese mythology, this is right up your alley.
I loved how the core of the world was built around reincarnation and the passage of souls into their new life. It was written in a way that felt somewhat new to me, or at least different from what I’m used to, and I found myself wanting to know more the deeper I got into it.
A lot of times I forgot how old the protagonist actually was, and I don’t mean that as a criticism. She’s only 17, but she’s already carrying the weight of running the auction house entirely on her own, and that responsibility ages her in a way that comes through clearly on the page. You see her being young in the moments where she makes questionable decisions or spirals over fears that don’t fully hold up under scrutiny, but you also see her go tough and steady when the situation calls for it, shaped by the life she’s had to live and the thick skin she’s had to grow while keeping the auction house afloat.
Something else that stood out was how fast paced the book is. I’m used to stories that give themselves more room to breathe between the big moments, and that space just isn’t really present here. We’re constantly moving from one quest into the next almost as soon as the last one wraps up.
That same quality ended up being the thing that held the book back for me too. I found it hard to connect deeply with the characters, specifically because the pacing left so little room for the moments that build that connection. We’d get a glimpse into something important from Lingxi’s past, only for the story to barely let it land before pulling us into the next crisis. That pattern repeated enough times throughout the book that I started questioning whether sacrificing those quieter moments was actually worth the trade-off.
When I dwelled on this same fact, I started to suspect it came down to who the book is written for. The pacing and the way it avoids dwelling on interiority or backstory reads like a choice made with a younger audience in mind, and if that’s the intent, it makes sense. A story that doesn’t ask its reader to sit with heavy emotional beats for long stretches is easier to stay hooked on if you’re a younger reader who doesn’t necessarily want that. Had this been marketed toward adults, I think I would have needed more from the world building and the emotional pacing to be fully satisfied.
On the subject of world building, I also think a glossary would have gone a long way. Terms like “qi” come up often throughout the book, and having concepts like that explained early on would have saved me the trouble of pausing to look them up. That’s likely a personal quirk more than an objective flaw, since my unfamiliarity with Chinese mythology is exactly what made the world feel fresh to me in the first place, but I don’t think it’s fair to assume every reader walks in with that context already. If not a glossary, a quick note early in the story, even just a line or two the first time an unfamiliar concept appears, would have made the experience smoother without taking anything away from how original the world felt.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fast paced YA with a strong foundation in Chinese mythology, this is right up your alley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You know what I really should have paid more attention to the title.
I just didn't realise the soul that would be auctioned off would be mine when I started this.
and honestly? Chen can keep it. Feels like a very worth trade.
An Auction of Souls follows Lingxi (fun fact, I have an electronic reader that kept pronouncing this Lindsey, and I was so confused about why there was such a western name just randomly thrown in 🤣 🤣 🤣, I never claimed to be smart.) Lingxi works at a renowned auction house under the often very critical eye of her grandmother, the auction house specialises in incredible and remarkable artefacts with equally incredible and remarkable price points. When her grandmother goes missing after a stranger appears at the auctionhouse doors in the dead of night, Lingxi will go on an adventure with the guardians of the literal hell the auctionhouse stands over (and I thought my neighbours were bad.) Accompanied by the interesting (and I don't just mean personality-wise) Yan Shan and Yan Jun, Lingxi will go on a quest to save her grandmother and if she has to, the world.
AAOS is an absolutely wild ride, and its like Chen read my specific review on Of Jade and Dragons and said, "yeah makes sense Millie, hold my beer." This improved enormously on every complaint I had about Chen's previous work, and might well have cemented her place as my favourite YA fantasy writer. Because this was absolutely STUNNING. Never once did this read as YA, the characters are 3d, humerous and this is so chock full of emotional beats that had my heartstrings playing like an orchestra.
Lingxi is everything I want from an FMC. She's intelligent and not necessarily likeable at first, but in a way that really works for the book. She's a brilliant blend of ruthless and constantly thinking ten steps ahead, but her humanity especially in terms of her family and grandma makes her brilliantly grounded. Her companions, Yan Shun and Yan Jun, particularly the latter, are familiar archetypes with really fun twists especially in how they go from kinda unwilling heroes to full-blown world savers.
I won't spoil it but if you're a fan of slowburn... yeah just wait for it.
Chen's prose is super lush but it never feels like it trips up over itself. She has a real talent for writing action, but what I loved most about the (plentiful) action in AAOS is that its often as much as a battle of wits as an actual battle. Trying to pick apart how Lingxi is going to get herself out of trouble in matches with literal royalty, hell's denizens and more was half the fun of my reading experience. Chen wasn't afraid to let the character's fail, stumble and shoot themselves in the foot either.
As I've mentioned the emotional beats are so well done and so well earned, especially for YA. I also don't know a tonne about Chinese mythology, but from the standpoint of someone who eats fantasy like seagulls eat chips... This was delectably fantastical.
This has a bit of everything for anyone who loves good, lush fantasy. Highly recommend.
I just didn't realise the soul that would be auctioned off would be mine when I started this.
and honestly? Chen can keep it. Feels like a very worth trade.
An Auction of Souls follows Lingxi (fun fact, I have an electronic reader that kept pronouncing this Lindsey, and I was so confused about why there was such a western name just randomly thrown in 🤣 🤣 🤣, I never claimed to be smart.) Lingxi works at a renowned auction house under the often very critical eye of her grandmother, the auction house specialises in incredible and remarkable artefacts with equally incredible and remarkable price points. When her grandmother goes missing after a stranger appears at the auctionhouse doors in the dead of night, Lingxi will go on an adventure with the guardians of the literal hell the auctionhouse stands over (and I thought my neighbours were bad.) Accompanied by the interesting (and I don't just mean personality-wise) Yan Shan and Yan Jun, Lingxi will go on a quest to save her grandmother and if she has to, the world.
AAOS is an absolutely wild ride, and its like Chen read my specific review on Of Jade and Dragons and said, "yeah makes sense Millie, hold my beer." This improved enormously on every complaint I had about Chen's previous work, and might well have cemented her place as my favourite YA fantasy writer. Because this was absolutely STUNNING. Never once did this read as YA, the characters are 3d, humerous and this is so chock full of emotional beats that had my heartstrings playing like an orchestra.
Lingxi is everything I want from an FMC. She's intelligent and not necessarily likeable at first, but in a way that really works for the book. She's a brilliant blend of ruthless and constantly thinking ten steps ahead, but her humanity especially in terms of her family and grandma makes her brilliantly grounded. Her companions, Yan Shun and Yan Jun, particularly the latter, are familiar archetypes with really fun twists especially in how they go from kinda unwilling heroes to full-blown world savers.
I won't spoil it but if you're a fan of slowburn... yeah just wait for it.
Chen's prose is super lush but it never feels like it trips up over itself. She has a real talent for writing action, but what I loved most about the (plentiful) action in AAOS is that its often as much as a battle of wits as an actual battle. Trying to pick apart how Lingxi is going to get herself out of trouble in matches with literal royalty, hell's denizens and more was half the fun of my reading experience. Chen wasn't afraid to let the character's fail, stumble and shoot themselves in the foot either.
As I've mentioned the emotional beats are so well done and so well earned, especially for YA. I also don't know a tonne about Chinese mythology, but from the standpoint of someone who eats fantasy like seagulls eat chips... This was delectably fantastical.
This has a bit of everything for anyone who loves good, lush fantasy. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review: 4.25 stars
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for the eARC.
I was a bit hesitant in picking this one up since I didn’t love her first duology, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! This really gives a lot of Xianxia c-drama vibes!
Meng Lingxi runs an auction house with her grandmother. One day, a mysterious traveller arrives with a fragment of a soul, and the next day, her grandmother disappears, leading the restless spirits attacking the house and two guardians from hell turn up also looking for her grandmother and the soul fragment, saving the day and telling her that the auction house actually sits upon the gateway to the underworld. In the hopes of finding her grandmother, she decides to journey with the guardians of hell to do so.
I genuinely love Lingxi - she is smart, and bratty, and somewhat greedy to start (I mean, she has to be to run a profitable auction house!) Her character growth is fun to watch, given that she is new to everything supernatural, but somehow things seem to come easily to her…and she just wants to earn the love and approval of her grandmother, who is always very aloof to her, whom she can’t help but feel resentful of at times. Liu-Shu, a human cursed into a crow, has been her companion since she was young and, at times, her trusted confidant.
The introduction of the two guardians of hell, Yan Jun and Yan Shan, makes things interesting…Her relationship with Yan Shan is fine to start since they get along, but she and Yan Jun seem to butt heads all the time, and it took some time to warm up to each other. The banter between them makes me grin at times. There seems to be an alluded-to past connection between her and Yan Jun… possibly. At one point, I thought it was going to be a love triangle with the introduction of another character, and I was like, " Noooooo," but thankfully, it didn’t turn out that way!
The worldbuilding in this one is phenomenal! This book really brings the xianxia vibes with the heavenly realm, human realm, demon realm - with the introduction of spirits, past lives and reincarnation, demons and magical artifacts. I mean, what I wouldn’t give to travel upon a sword!
The pacing was very fast, which means the relationship-building aspect sometimes takes a back seat. So, sometimes I struggle to connect with the story emotionally despite the crazy stakes. Although I do find this normal for a lot of YA-inspired fantasy. Despite this, I do find the twists quite unpredictable, which makes this an intriguing and fun read.
As this is marketed as a duology, the open ending didn’t surprise me, and I’m curious enough to want to continue reading this one! If you are looking for Asian inspired fantasy with solid worldbuilding and a fun plot, this might be an enjoyable one to pick up!
Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for the eARC.
I was a bit hesitant in picking this one up since I didn’t love her first duology, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! This really gives a lot of Xianxia c-drama vibes!
Meng Lingxi runs an auction house with her grandmother. One day, a mysterious traveller arrives with a fragment of a soul, and the next day, her grandmother disappears, leading the restless spirits attacking the house and two guardians from hell turn up also looking for her grandmother and the soul fragment, saving the day and telling her that the auction house actually sits upon the gateway to the underworld. In the hopes of finding her grandmother, she decides to journey with the guardians of hell to do so.
I genuinely love Lingxi - she is smart, and bratty, and somewhat greedy to start (I mean, she has to be to run a profitable auction house!) Her character growth is fun to watch, given that she is new to everything supernatural, but somehow things seem to come easily to her…and she just wants to earn the love and approval of her grandmother, who is always very aloof to her, whom she can’t help but feel resentful of at times. Liu-Shu, a human cursed into a crow, has been her companion since she was young and, at times, her trusted confidant.
The introduction of the two guardians of hell, Yan Jun and Yan Shan, makes things interesting…Her relationship with Yan Shan is fine to start since they get along, but she and Yan Jun seem to butt heads all the time, and it took some time to warm up to each other. The banter between them makes me grin at times. There seems to be an alluded-to past connection between her and Yan Jun… possibly. At one point, I thought it was going to be a love triangle with the introduction of another character, and I was like, " Noooooo," but thankfully, it didn’t turn out that way!
The worldbuilding in this one is phenomenal! This book really brings the xianxia vibes with the heavenly realm, human realm, demon realm - with the introduction of spirits, past lives and reincarnation, demons and magical artifacts. I mean, what I wouldn’t give to travel upon a sword!
The pacing was very fast, which means the relationship-building aspect sometimes takes a back seat. So, sometimes I struggle to connect with the story emotionally despite the crazy stakes. Although I do find this normal for a lot of YA-inspired fantasy. Despite this, I do find the twists quite unpredictable, which makes this an intriguing and fun read.
As this is marketed as a duology, the open ending didn’t surprise me, and I’m curious enough to want to continue reading this one! If you are looking for Asian inspired fantasy with solid worldbuilding and a fun plot, this might be an enjoyable one to pick up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!
this was so freaking good yo!!! i just had to request for thid book after loving of jade and dragons a while back and this did not disappoint!! it's everything i love in chinese historical xianxia in book form and i absolutely cannot wait for book two.
and also. that freaking gorgeous cover that deserves high praise!!
let's start with the plot because oh boy what starts as a quest to find her popo with the help of hell guardian yan jun and yan shan (which ngl i thought was just gna be an epic fetch quest) turned out to be so much bigger. i love how the mirror pointing them to different object to find slowly laid the clues of lingxi's past life out for us to solve alongside her. and somehow the plot was even bigger than just the past life loves story i thought it was going to be. the heavenly court, hell and demons politics was sick too.
spoilers for this para!! we all know just like yan jun was prince jun, meng lingxi was 100% princess xinya, but for her to once be a god turned demon after prince jun was killed and subsequently razed half of the heavenly court with fire?? her soul split but yan luo and meng po (popo TT) to keep it all from happening again..... i did not see the liu-shu being sha-ye plot twist but oh my god!! his appearance gave me literal chills.
of course meng lingxi is such a badass fmc. rarely do we see an fmc not just driven by the will to survive, but simply to be rich with pots of gold and live in meng wu with popo forever. i thought the gambling rocks scene in the void was just pure brilliance, meng lingxi at her finest. and her learning to care is really the simplest, but most impact arc. and the fact that you can both love and resent your family being represented through her, popo and liu-shu.....
i'm so glad the author didn't break out the ol' love triangle which had me worried there for a moment in the middle but i'm so happy yan jun is clearly endgame and is not actually a horse, just a figurehead for the horse. i absolutely loved the slowburn hatred/annoyance to love going on. their arguing and his reluctantly saving her while she unknowingly endears him to her spunk throughout their journey seriously got me. the tension!!!
"she had once thought it intimidating. thought him intimidating. now he had somehow become her sturdiest anchor in the midst of this turbulent storm, a reliable shoulder to lean on— and it was as if she had known him for a long, long time."
"restoring your soul is not going to change who you are. you will always be meng lingxi." the way he just knows her.
and simply: "i believe in you."
gawddd i hope that they meet again somehow, all of them.
this was so freaking good yo!!! i just had to request for thid book after loving of jade and dragons a while back and this did not disappoint!! it's everything i love in chinese historical xianxia in book form and i absolutely cannot wait for book two.
and also. that freaking gorgeous cover that deserves high praise!!
let's start with the plot because oh boy what starts as a quest to find her popo with the help of hell guardian yan jun and yan shan (which ngl i thought was just gna be an epic fetch quest) turned out to be so much bigger. i love how the mirror pointing them to different object to find slowly laid the clues of lingxi's past life out for us to solve alongside her. and somehow the plot was even bigger than just the past life loves story i thought it was going to be. the heavenly court, hell and demons politics was sick too.
spoilers for this para!! we all know just like yan jun was prince jun, meng lingxi was 100% princess xinya, but for her to once be a god turned demon after prince jun was killed and subsequently razed half of the heavenly court with fire?? her soul split but yan luo and meng po (popo TT) to keep it all from happening again..... i did not see the liu-shu being sha-ye plot twist but oh my god!! his appearance gave me literal chills.
of course meng lingxi is such a badass fmc. rarely do we see an fmc not just driven by the will to survive, but simply to be rich with pots of gold and live in meng wu with popo forever. i thought the gambling rocks scene in the void was just pure brilliance, meng lingxi at her finest. and her learning to care is really the simplest, but most impact arc. and the fact that you can both love and resent your family being represented through her, popo and liu-shu.....
i'm so glad the author didn't break out the ol' love triangle which had me worried there for a moment in the middle but i'm so happy yan jun is clearly endgame and is not actually a horse, just a figurehead for the horse. i absolutely loved the slowburn hatred/annoyance to love going on. their arguing and his reluctantly saving her while she unknowingly endears him to her spunk throughout their journey seriously got me. the tension!!!
"she had once thought it intimidating. thought him intimidating. now he had somehow become her sturdiest anchor in the midst of this turbulent storm, a reliable shoulder to lean on— and it was as if she had known him for a long, long time."
"restoring your soul is not going to change who you are. you will always be meng lingxi." the way he just knows her.
and simply: "i believe in you."
gawddd i hope that they meet again somehow, all of them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had quite a fun time reading this book. That was my first Amber Chen's book and my first contact with her world building and it did not disappoint. The cover is stunning, so I wish to also give the flowers to the illustrator and designer, cause they've done an AMAZING job!
The premise of this book is very unique, and even tho I had a great time reading it, I also have some points to make. Most of the time I did forgot what age the character was and had the impression of her being 13-14 more than 17yo. She was raised in an action house along with a creepy old lady and a crow, and honestly, I'm not one to make statements on behavior, but it did gave me the ick sometimes by the way she was constantly picking fights and criticizing everything on the way of the aventure in the start of the book. I do understand the author was plotting some sort of enemies/rivals to something else between her and the demon boy, however, for a girl that was running an auction house mostly by herself and had so much wit by the start, she did showed up very childish later, in an annoying "I like to be the one right" kinda of way. Honestly that took me off by the start of the book and made me a little hesitant on continuing or DNFing.
However, the world building is just SO COOL! As a Danmei girlie, whom from time to time likes to watch some Chinese fantasy novels, I felt so excited with a lot of the elements in the book. I mean, traveling on top of a sword is top #1 coolest things ever! Amber was really clever with her creations, and the stories and "trials" they went through to find old Popo were really fun!
Overall this is a very nice fantasy, the world building is simple and consistent and even tho the plot is kinda of predictable most of the time, I can give it a break since is a Young Adult fantasy. This is the perfect book for you to pick up when you need a fun light fantasy and can probably help you through a reading slump.
Looking forward to dive deeper in Amber Chen's universe!
I had quite a fun time reading this book. That was my first Amber Chen's book and my first contact with her world building and it did not disappoint. The cover is stunning, so I wish to also give the flowers to the illustrator and designer, cause they've done an AMAZING job!
The premise of this book is very unique, and even tho I had a great time reading it, I also have some points to make. Most of the time I did forgot what age the character was and had the impression of her being 13-14 more than 17yo. She was raised in an action house along with a creepy old lady and a crow, and honestly, I'm not one to make statements on behavior, but it did gave me the ick sometimes by the way she was constantly picking fights and criticizing everything on the way of the aventure in the start of the book. I do understand the author was plotting some sort of enemies/rivals to something else between her and the demon boy, however, for a girl that was running an auction house mostly by herself and had so much wit by the start, she did showed up very childish later, in an annoying "I like to be the one right" kinda of way. Honestly that took me off by the start of the book and made me a little hesitant on continuing or DNFing.
However, the world building is just SO COOL! As a Danmei girlie, whom from time to time likes to watch some Chinese fantasy novels, I felt so excited with a lot of the elements in the book. I mean, traveling on top of a sword is top #1 coolest things ever! Amber was really clever with her creations, and the stories and "trials" they went through to find old Popo were really fun!
Overall this is a very nice fantasy, the world building is simple and consistent and even tho the plot is kinda of predictable most of the time, I can give it a break since is a Young Adult fantasy. This is the perfect book for you to pick up when you need a fun light fantasy and can probably help you through a reading slump.
Looking forward to dive deeper in Amber Chen's universe!
September 20, 2026
I received an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
First up, the cover art is stellar. I read the author's Of Jade and Dragons and wanted to see if my pain points with that book were still there. This book is definitely an improvement in the craft department. The plot was tighter and the characters were more distinct from each other.
First up, the cover art is stellar. I read the author's Of Jade and Dragons and wanted to see if my pain points with that book were still there. This book is definitely an improvement in the craft department. The plot was tighter and the characters were more distinct from each other.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review.
Meng Lingxi's journey to save her grandmother alongside two hell guardians, a crow, and a Rulin disciple was filled with banter, demons, ghosts, dragons, and much more! I had such a fun time traveling through the realms and kingdoms with our little group. Lingxi was so clever and witty, and I appreciated how the group's dynamics changed throughout the journey.
The world building and pacing were fantastic. Chen's descriptions brought each scene and character to life, and the action kept me hooked. The subtle romance was super sweet; it was the perfect amount for this story. I loved how everything came together at the end.
My only critique is that Lingxi sometimes felt a little inconsistent. For example, . Even so, I still thought she was a very interesting character with complex feelings on her upbringing. I liked the nuance around .
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I know teen me would have as well. I'm looking forward to the next book in the duology! If you're looking for an Asian mythology inspired YA fantasy with lots of action, An Auction of Souls won't disappoint!
Meng Lingxi's journey to save her grandmother alongside two hell guardians, a crow, and a Rulin disciple was filled with banter, demons, ghosts, dragons, and much more! I had such a fun time traveling through the realms and kingdoms with our little group. Lingxi was so clever and witty, and I appreciated how the group's dynamics changed throughout the journey.
The world building and pacing were fantastic. Chen's descriptions brought each scene and character to life, and the action kept me hooked. The subtle romance was super sweet; it was the perfect amount for this story. I loved how everything came together at the end.
My only critique is that Lingxi sometimes felt a little inconsistent. For example, . Even so, I still thought she was a very interesting character with complex feelings on her upbringing. I liked the nuance around .
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I know teen me would have as well. I'm looking forward to the next book in the duology! If you're looking for an Asian mythology inspired YA fantasy with lots of action, An Auction of Souls won't disappoint!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was lucky enough to be able to read an early copy of An Auction of Souls and I was so excited! I loved Amber Chen's Of Jade and Dragons duology and couldn't wait to dive in to her next world.
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother run the legendary auction house, Meng Wu selling treasures of unbelievable value for the highest bidders. One day a mysterious travel arrives bearing a fragment of a soul and Meng Lingxi's grandmother vanished to go looking for it. After her Popo leaves, restless spirits descend on Meng Wu, and two unlikely allies come to Lingxi's rescue. Yan Jun and Yan Shan are guardians of Hell and reveal to Longxi that her home sits on a gateway to Hell and her grandmother serves the god of Hell herself and without her there souls are unable to find rest and reincarnation. With her companion Liu-shu an enchanted crow, she joins her two companions on a journey to find her grandmother and set the world right but along the way must outsmart mortals, demons, and gods alike who stand in their way.
I loved this book, at first the beginning felt very slow to me and I had a hard time getting into the story but as the book continued I couldn't put it down. At first I didn't like Lingxi, she was greedy and selfish but I also felt her loneliness and wanting nothing more than her grandmother's approval. But the further on her journey, you see her character evolve and you learn more about her past life and really want to root for her. The author described this book as an ode to the Chinese Xianxia genre and it feels exactly like that. The epic journey with gods and demons and the classic reincarnation trope that weaves through the entire story. No spoilers, but the love interests and the little twists and betrayals kept me on my toes. Reading this did feel like I was watching a Chinese fantasy drama and I loved every second of it. I can't wait for the next book!
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother run the legendary auction house, Meng Wu selling treasures of unbelievable value for the highest bidders. One day a mysterious travel arrives bearing a fragment of a soul and Meng Lingxi's grandmother vanished to go looking for it. After her Popo leaves, restless spirits descend on Meng Wu, and two unlikely allies come to Lingxi's rescue. Yan Jun and Yan Shan are guardians of Hell and reveal to Longxi that her home sits on a gateway to Hell and her grandmother serves the god of Hell herself and without her there souls are unable to find rest and reincarnation. With her companion Liu-shu an enchanted crow, she joins her two companions on a journey to find her grandmother and set the world right but along the way must outsmart mortals, demons, and gods alike who stand in their way.
I loved this book, at first the beginning felt very slow to me and I had a hard time getting into the story but as the book continued I couldn't put it down. At first I didn't like Lingxi, she was greedy and selfish but I also felt her loneliness and wanting nothing more than her grandmother's approval. But the further on her journey, you see her character evolve and you learn more about her past life and really want to root for her. The author described this book as an ode to the Chinese Xianxia genre and it feels exactly like that. The epic journey with gods and demons and the classic reincarnation trope that weaves through the entire story. No spoilers, but the love interests and the little twists and betrayals kept me on my toes. Reading this did feel like I was watching a Chinese fantasy drama and I loved every second of it. I can't wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"It is your will that determines who and what you become - remember that." - An Auction of Souls
Meng Lingxi runs an auction house with her grandma, but after a mysterious stranger shows up with a fragment of a soul, her grandma goes missing. With her grandma missing, spirits attack the auction house, and Lingxi learns that her home is not what it appears to be. Lingxi is aided by two guardians of hell; Yan Jun and Yan Shan. The trio set off on a beautiful adventure to find Lingxi's grandma, and to save the world .
I almost have no words to describe how much I loved this book. I am a huge reader for anything Asian mythology/drama inspired, and when I got an ARC of this book, I quite literally cried. This book did not disappoint me at all. I was especially astounded by all of the turn of events, and I loved reading about the mythological creatures and beings.
The writing was gorgeous, and I often felt like I genuinely was part of an Asian drama. The characters were phenomenal, and it was amazing seeing how much growth there was in all of them. Lingxi was different than many characters I have read about. She starts off very greedy, to the point of not caring about others, but as the time goes by, she slowly learns what it means to have friends. I ended up loving her, as she was able to use her wits and art of persuasion to really shine. She was no sword-wielding trained assassin (that was saved for Yan Jun, our MAN), and it was nice to see that as a change.
Ultimately, I ended up loving this book, and I am already extremely sad that I can't immediately read the second book!
Meng Lingxi runs an auction house with her grandma, but after a mysterious stranger shows up with a fragment of a soul, her grandma goes missing. With her grandma missing, spirits attack the auction house, and Lingxi learns that her home is not what it appears to be. Lingxi is aided by two guardians of hell; Yan Jun and Yan Shan. The trio set off on a beautiful adventure to find Lingxi's grandma, and to save the world .
I almost have no words to describe how much I loved this book. I am a huge reader for anything Asian mythology/drama inspired, and when I got an ARC of this book, I quite literally cried. This book did not disappoint me at all. I was especially astounded by all of the turn of events, and I loved reading about the mythological creatures and beings.
The writing was gorgeous, and I often felt like I genuinely was part of an Asian drama. The characters were phenomenal, and it was amazing seeing how much growth there was in all of them. Lingxi was different than many characters I have read about. She starts off very greedy, to the point of not caring about others, but as the time goes by, she slowly learns what it means to have friends. I ended up loving her, as she was able to use her wits and art of persuasion to really shine. She was no sword-wielding trained assassin (that was saved for Yan Jun, our MAN), and it was nice to see that as a change.
Ultimately, I ended up loving this book, and I am already extremely sad that I can't immediately read the second book!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
whoaaaaa another fun and fantastic read from amber chen. having read their other series, i was expecting to like this and i was correct.
meng lingxi works with her adoptive grandmother to run an auction house that sells anything possible. lingxi is set on a journey, much like a main character does, when her grandmother leaves and tells her to not come find her, but without her grandmother, the auction house, which is actually a gate of hell, will succumb to the numerous ghosts surrounding it. with the aid of the guardians of hell, siblings yan jun and yan shan, they go to find meng-po (po means grandma). on her quests, it seems lingxi has a lot to learn about the realm and herself.
i had such a blast reading this! honestly exceeded any expectation i had. i love a good historical fantasy and this is so xianxia... not a perfect novel, but a whirlwind of one and one that i will definitely be reading the sequel to.
i would have liked it if lingxi was aged up a bit, but i often kept forgetting she was seventeen. it matters so little it could be argued either way i guess. the relationships that get built between lingxi and her companions could have also been a little better (or im greedy) because i think they could've had a little more scenes, but it suffices as is. i also love the siblings...
the whole setting and plot was a joy. i really didn't want to put it down because amber just kept feeding me such good things every time. of course there were going to be parts where i thought it was too convenient or it could've been done better, but overall a splendid read.
thank you to goodreads and viking for hosting the giveaway and providing me with an eARC!
meng lingxi works with her adoptive grandmother to run an auction house that sells anything possible. lingxi is set on a journey, much like a main character does, when her grandmother leaves and tells her to not come find her, but without her grandmother, the auction house, which is actually a gate of hell, will succumb to the numerous ghosts surrounding it. with the aid of the guardians of hell, siblings yan jun and yan shan, they go to find meng-po (po means grandma). on her quests, it seems lingxi has a lot to learn about the realm and herself.
i had such a blast reading this! honestly exceeded any expectation i had. i love a good historical fantasy and this is so xianxia... not a perfect novel, but a whirlwind of one and one that i will definitely be reading the sequel to.
i would have liked it if lingxi was aged up a bit, but i often kept forgetting she was seventeen. it matters so little it could be argued either way i guess. the relationships that get built between lingxi and her companions could have also been a little better (or im greedy) because i think they could've had a little more scenes, but it suffices as is. i also love the siblings...
the whole setting and plot was a joy. i really didn't want to put it down because amber just kept feeding me such good things every time. of course there were going to be parts where i thought it was too convenient or it could've been done better, but overall a splendid read.
thank you to goodreads and viking for hosting the giveaway and providing me with an eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fantastical start to a series by Amber Chen!
I enjoyed the overall setting of the story - different kingdoms with an otherworldly auction house nestled between their borders, Chinese-inspired mythology (Gods/Goddesses, demons, spirits, 3 realms), and a literal journey of discovery for our main protagonist Meng Lingxi.
Plot-wise, after the first required item was obtained, I felt fairly certain I knew where we were heading. Each item's obtaining quest functioned very similarly even if the events and characters were unique enough on their own. Some of the characters' motives or hidden secrets were easily guessable due to general tropes in such narratives but still was enjoyable to follow the plot to its conclusion in book one, with the story left open wide enough to have multiple threads to chase in the sequel.
Even knowing that Lingxi grew up separated from the world (unable to venture beyond the auction house's walls), she read a bit younger than the seventeen years of age she is given. She does grow in maturity and learns to use her skills in sticky situations but I do wish this was aimed a bit higher in the YA genre as it could enhance some of the scenarios and deeper meanings.
My Takeaways:
- a skilled negotiator and a sly auction house master are basically the same thing
- the ole "find these three items" questline
- it would be absolutely terrifying to ride a shrinking/growing sword up in the sky
- "the journey is the friends we've made along the way"
- I absolutely want a talking bird companion now
I enjoyed the overall setting of the story - different kingdoms with an otherworldly auction house nestled between their borders, Chinese-inspired mythology (Gods/Goddesses, demons, spirits, 3 realms), and a literal journey of discovery for our main protagonist Meng Lingxi.
Plot-wise, after the first required item was obtained, I felt fairly certain I knew where we were heading. Each item's obtaining quest functioned very similarly even if the events and characters were unique enough on their own. Some of the characters' motives or hidden secrets were easily guessable due to general tropes in such narratives but still was enjoyable to follow the plot to its conclusion in book one, with the story left open wide enough to have multiple threads to chase in the sequel.
Even knowing that Lingxi grew up separated from the world (unable to venture beyond the auction house's walls), she read a bit younger than the seventeen years of age she is given. She does grow in maturity and learns to use her skills in sticky situations but I do wish this was aimed a bit higher in the YA genre as it could enhance some of the scenarios and deeper meanings.
My Takeaways:
- a skilled negotiator and a sly auction house master are basically the same thing
- the ole "find these three items" questline
- it would be absolutely terrifying to ride a shrinking/growing sword up in the sky
- "the journey is the friends we've made along the way"
- I absolutely want a talking bird companion now
August 14, 2026
This is my first time reading work from Amber Chen, who from what I’ve heard, is a very well respected author, and after reading this book, I can say with confidence that that is for good reason.
For a quick summary of the plot, ‘An Auction of Souls’ follows Lingxi, who works at a world renowned auction house for her grandmother. But, one day, her grandmother disappears, launching Lingxi on a quest to help find her grandmother and restore peace into the world.
I am an absolute sucker for Asian Fantasy and this book was no exception. I was hooked from page 1 and I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. The plot itself was fast paced, surprising, and had all the necessary elements that I thought we needed for the book to flow well.
In terms of the characters, it first I did find it hard to root for Lingxi, as sometimes her character did not make a lot of sense to me. It seemed to me at one moment, she wanted to be free and travel the world, then the next she longed for home. Or she would spend some time wallowing in self pity, and then the next second that would all be forgotten. I suppose what I am saying is what her character was far from consistent, making it hard to make a clear character profile for her. In the end though, she definitely cleared up around the edges.
And wow, that was one hell of a conclusion. The action and the twists just kept hitting! Plus that epilogue!!! I can’t wait for book two, I know it’s going to be absolutely amazing.
For a quick summary of the plot, ‘An Auction of Souls’ follows Lingxi, who works at a world renowned auction house for her grandmother. But, one day, her grandmother disappears, launching Lingxi on a quest to help find her grandmother and restore peace into the world.
I am an absolute sucker for Asian Fantasy and this book was no exception. I was hooked from page 1 and I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. The plot itself was fast paced, surprising, and had all the necessary elements that I thought we needed for the book to flow well.
In terms of the characters, it first I did find it hard to root for Lingxi, as sometimes her character did not make a lot of sense to me. It seemed to me at one moment, she wanted to be free and travel the world, then the next she longed for home. Or she would spend some time wallowing in self pity, and then the next second that would all be forgotten. I suppose what I am saying is what her character was far from consistent, making it hard to make a clear character profile for her. In the end though, she definitely cleared up around the edges.
And wow, that was one hell of a conclusion. The action and the twists just kept hitting! Plus that epilogue!!! I can’t wait for book two, I know it’s going to be absolutely amazing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝓐𝓷 𝓐𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓢𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓼 - 𝓐𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓻 𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓷
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 - 3.5/5!
First off, let me start by saying that this cover is absolutely stunning, as is all her covers. I was extremely excited to read this based off that alone, but a book about an auction house sitting on the gateway of hell itself with guardians and demons? Chef's kiss.
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother own and run Meng Wu, an auction house knows as the House of Dreams. After a mysterious visitor comes with a soul fragment, her grandmother goes missing one day and vengeful spirits descend upon the house. Two guardians of hell arrive, and Meng Lingxi learns that the auction house is a gateway to hell itself - and her grandmother has been serving the god of the underworld all along. She reluctantly joins the two guardians on a quest to retrieve her grandmother and discover the secrets of the soul fragment.
I really enjoyed the world in this book. Honestly, that and the plot were probably my favorite things. However, this was one book that almost felt too YA for me. I had no taste for the characters at all. The FMC was borderline insufferable and made the book so-so for me. I feel like if I had enjoyed the characters, this would've been an overall more enjoyable book. I do, however, think that if you've never read a book based around Chinese mythology, this would be a fun start.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc is exchange for an honest review.
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 - 3.5/5!
First off, let me start by saying that this cover is absolutely stunning, as is all her covers. I was extremely excited to read this based off that alone, but a book about an auction house sitting on the gateway of hell itself with guardians and demons? Chef's kiss.
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother own and run Meng Wu, an auction house knows as the House of Dreams. After a mysterious visitor comes with a soul fragment, her grandmother goes missing one day and vengeful spirits descend upon the house. Two guardians of hell arrive, and Meng Lingxi learns that the auction house is a gateway to hell itself - and her grandmother has been serving the god of the underworld all along. She reluctantly joins the two guardians on a quest to retrieve her grandmother and discover the secrets of the soul fragment.
I really enjoyed the world in this book. Honestly, that and the plot were probably my favorite things. However, this was one book that almost felt too YA for me. I had no taste for the characters at all. The FMC was borderline insufferable and made the book so-so for me. I feel like if I had enjoyed the characters, this would've been an overall more enjoyable book. I do, however, think that if you've never read a book based around Chinese mythology, this would be a fun start.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc is exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An Auction of Souls by Amber Chen
I love all of Amber Chen’s books! Her endings are both satisfying and not satisfying at the same time if that makes sense. An Auction of Souls has that type of ending as well. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The main character, Meng and her grandmother run an auction house. Meng is completely fine with running the auction house herself for the rest of her life. But as shocking secrets surface about her grandmother and the only home she has ever known, Meng is forced to leave her comfort zone when her grandmother disappears. On her journey with unlikely allies, she learns so much about herself and her past. I loved this element of Meng leaving to basically find herself, have experiences, and live.
Similar to her Fall of the Dragon duology, the FMC Meng and MMC Yan Jun have the slow burn/forbidden romance vibe that I like. What I also liked was, I have been looking for a book that has the concept of past lives, and this one has it!
I will say it didn’t start picking up for me until about 40% in, but it was worth it.
I will finish by saying I also enjoyed the poetic elements, there were some memorable quotes that I highlighted:
”Darkness hides in the brightest light”
”If love can last the test of time— then it matters not if we’re together night and day.”
I love all of Amber Chen’s books! Her endings are both satisfying and not satisfying at the same time if that makes sense. An Auction of Souls has that type of ending as well. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
The main character, Meng and her grandmother run an auction house. Meng is completely fine with running the auction house herself for the rest of her life. But as shocking secrets surface about her grandmother and the only home she has ever known, Meng is forced to leave her comfort zone when her grandmother disappears. On her journey with unlikely allies, she learns so much about herself and her past. I loved this element of Meng leaving to basically find herself, have experiences, and live.
Similar to her Fall of the Dragon duology, the FMC Meng and MMC Yan Jun have the slow burn/forbidden romance vibe that I like. What I also liked was, I have been looking for a book that has the concept of past lives, and this one has it!
I will say it didn’t start picking up for me until about 40% in, but it was worth it.
I will finish by saying I also enjoyed the poetic elements, there were some memorable quotes that I highlighted:
”Darkness hides in the brightest light”
”If love can last the test of time— then it matters not if we’re together night and day.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Meng Lingxi and her grandmother run Meng Wu, the House of Dreams, where rare treasures are auctioned. One day, a stranger arrives to sell a fragment of a soul, and suddenly Lingxi’s grandmother disappears while spirits begin attacking their home. The hell guardians, Yan Jun and Yan Shan, come to Lingxi’s aid, while revealing that the House of Dreams sits atop the gateway to hell, and Lingxi’s grandmother serves the Underworld. Determined to save her home and find her grandmother, Lingxi sets off on a perilous journey with the guardians.
Meng Lingxi is the kind of protagonist I love: plucky, sarky and witty. I laughed out loud at a number of her antics and sharp dialogue. At first, as the mistress of an auction house, she comes across as someone who only cares about money. But as the story unfolds, you start to see her vulnerabilities and longing for acknowledgment from her grandmother behind all that wit and sarcasm.
Amber’s prose is vivid and cinematic; I could picture everything from the dangerous demons to the fickle gods to the breathtaking landscapes. The journey is treacherous and will have you holding your breath. I thought some events and encounters felt random at first, but by the end they tie together, culminating in a twist and ending I didn’t see coming.
I don’t usually watch C-dramas, but I could absolutely imagine this as one. Growing up on Hong Kong Xianxia films and TV series, this book felt like such a treat. With the way things wrapped up (and that epilogue!) the stage is set for the second and final book in the duology. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Lingxi and Yan Jun!
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy!
Meng Lingxi is the kind of protagonist I love: plucky, sarky and witty. I laughed out loud at a number of her antics and sharp dialogue. At first, as the mistress of an auction house, she comes across as someone who only cares about money. But as the story unfolds, you start to see her vulnerabilities and longing for acknowledgment from her grandmother behind all that wit and sarcasm.
Amber’s prose is vivid and cinematic; I could picture everything from the dangerous demons to the fickle gods to the breathtaking landscapes. The journey is treacherous and will have you holding your breath. I thought some events and encounters felt random at first, but by the end they tie together, culminating in a twist and ending I didn’t see coming.
I don’t usually watch C-dramas, but I could absolutely imagine this as one. Growing up on Hong Kong Xianxia films and TV series, this book felt like such a treat. With the way things wrapped up (and that epilogue!) the stage is set for the second and final book in the duology. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Lingxi and Yan Jun!
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An Auction of Souls by Amber Chen. Book 1 of the Auction of Souls duology.
As a lover of fantasy, I'm surprised that this is my first introduction to the Chinese Xianxia genre. To me, it read kind of like anime in written form, which made for a dramatic and unique adventure. Being new to the genre, there were a lot of unexpected story elements and plot twists, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The FMC, Meng Lingxi was sly and scrappy. The world isn't so black and white for the auction master of Meng Wu, who isn't above a little trickery to maximize her profits. Lingxi lives her life a little on the morally grey side, yet she's still capable of compassion, love, and fierce loyalty. Her character development throughout the book added a lot of depth to the story.
This was a clean read, with the romance as a secondary element to the main plot.
4/5 stars. Recommended if you enjoy clever, fast-paced, action-packed mythological fantasy. A surprising and welcome break from my usual read, and I'm very much looking forward to the second book of this duology.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amber Chen, and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read the DRC. All opinions expressed are my own.
As a lover of fantasy, I'm surprised that this is my first introduction to the Chinese Xianxia genre. To me, it read kind of like anime in written form, which made for a dramatic and unique adventure. Being new to the genre, there were a lot of unexpected story elements and plot twists, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The FMC, Meng Lingxi was sly and scrappy. The world isn't so black and white for the auction master of Meng Wu, who isn't above a little trickery to maximize her profits. Lingxi lives her life a little on the morally grey side, yet she's still capable of compassion, love, and fierce loyalty. Her character development throughout the book added a lot of depth to the story.
This was a clean read, with the romance as a secondary element to the main plot.
4/5 stars. Recommended if you enjoy clever, fast-paced, action-packed mythological fantasy. A surprising and welcome break from my usual read, and I'm very much looking forward to the second book of this duology.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amber Chen, and Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read the DRC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for providing an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I love to see the improvement in Amber Chen's writing from the 'Of Jade and Dragons' duology to the start of this brand new duology. My biggest compliment is how well I could visualise this entire story, I honestly have a hard time really feeling like I'm watching a movie in my mind when I read, but this book was so wonderfully done and I just felt like I was watching a Cdrama that was so well scripted that there was never a dull moment.
I really liked following Lingxi, I think that she has a distinct voice and I like how the author incorporated her job into the abilities that she showcases throughout the story.
I think there is room for improvement with the side characters, they honestly don't really have that much going on so I would like to have a greater exploration of their personalities and dynamics in the second book.
I'm overall very pleased with this story, thankfully it is a case of a beautiful cover with an inside that matches the outside. Here's to hoping that the next instalment is as good or better, I will be waiting for it!
I love to see the improvement in Amber Chen's writing from the 'Of Jade and Dragons' duology to the start of this brand new duology. My biggest compliment is how well I could visualise this entire story, I honestly have a hard time really feeling like I'm watching a movie in my mind when I read, but this book was so wonderfully done and I just felt like I was watching a Cdrama that was so well scripted that there was never a dull moment.
I really liked following Lingxi, I think that she has a distinct voice and I like how the author incorporated her job into the abilities that she showcases throughout the story.
I think there is room for improvement with the side characters, they honestly don't really have that much going on so I would like to have a greater exploration of their personalities and dynamics in the second book.
I'm overall very pleased with this story, thankfully it is a case of a beautiful cover with an inside that matches the outside. Here's to hoping that the next instalment is as good or better, I will be waiting for it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I will read anything Amber Chen writes. She has a way of capturing my attention from the very first page and keeping me completely invested until the end. This book was packed with secrets, twists, and surprises that kept me guessing the entire time.
One of my favorite aspects was the endless tales woven throughout the story and how everything connected in unexpected ways. Every new revelation added another layer to the mystery, making it impossible to put down. And that ending? Absolutely shocking. I never saw it coming, and I’m still thinking about it.
The world-building and storytelling were incredible, and the surprises just kept coming. I also loved the little bit of romance sprinkled throughout the book. It was enough to make me completely invested in the relationship and wishing there had been even more of it.
Amber Chen has once again delivered a captivating young adult fantasy filled with magic, secrets, and unforgettable twists. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes these characters.
One of my favorite aspects was the endless tales woven throughout the story and how everything connected in unexpected ways. Every new revelation added another layer to the mystery, making it impossible to put down. And that ending? Absolutely shocking. I never saw it coming, and I’m still thinking about it.
The world-building and storytelling were incredible, and the surprises just kept coming. I also loved the little bit of romance sprinkled throughout the book. It was enough to make me completely invested in the relationship and wishing there had been even more of it.
Amber Chen has once again delivered a captivating young adult fantasy filled with magic, secrets, and unforgettable twists. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes these characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed my time reading this book!
One of my favorite elements of this book was the world. The setting of this story, with an otherworldly auction house nestled between different kingdoms, was really cool. I also loved the way Chinese-inspired mythology (Gods/Goddesses, spirits, demons, 3 realms, etc.) was incorporated into the story!
I liked Meng Lingxi as our main character, however I often forgot that she was 17, as she tended to act younger a lot of the time. I really liked her sibling companions as well, and I wish that we had had more scenes to develop the relationship between Lingxi and her companions.
I liked the plot too! Even though some elements of the quests were a bit predictable, I still enjoyed seeing the characters try to obtain each required item.
I think anyone looking to read a YA historical Chinese fantasy novel should give this one a go!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for allowing me to read the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.8 stars. Alright so this was cute, it had sorta of a ghibli style to it and it was heartwarming in away and a quick read, but in the beginning I really couldn't stand the main character. But I guess this is what happens when you ask for complex characters....
Meng Lingxi: She came off as heartless and a little childish but I warmed up to her ig still find her little annoying.
Yan Jun: Honestly I'm glad he humbled lingxi so many times, and I love how protective of his sister he is
Yan Shan: Like a little cinnamon roll she could do no wrong
Li-Shu: I think that's how you spell his name but I didn't see the plot twist coming with him and almost felt random?
I forgot the other character's name: But I was so scared it was gonna turn into a love triangle= but it didn't!
Were their any set backs, alright I'll admit again the MC was annoying but I got used to it, and at times the plot felt really random still a cute story though
Thank you netgalley for giving me a copy of this book!
Meng Lingxi: She came off as heartless and a little childish but I warmed up to her ig still find her little annoying.
Yan Jun: Honestly I'm glad he humbled lingxi so many times, and I love how protective of his sister he is
Yan Shan: Like a little cinnamon roll she could do no wrong
Li-Shu: I think that's how you spell his name but I didn't see the plot twist coming with him and almost felt random?
I forgot the other character's name: But I was so scared it was gonna turn into a love triangle= but it didn't!
Were their any set backs, alright I'll admit again the MC was annoying but I got used to it, and at times the plot felt really random still a cute story though
Thank you netgalley for giving me a copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
There's something about Asian fantasy, that will always have a special place in my heart, no matter what. I don't think I can explain it, even if I wanted to, so I'm not even going to try... you should simply read some of those books yourself (and don't forget about the shows) to know if they're for you or not.
That saying... while I enjoyed this one, I also had some problems to properly bite into it. I'm not fully sure why, because I really liked the plot, the characters were alright and I can say the same about the pacing, but for the love of me I couldn't get hold of the names and kept getting confused on who is who (aside from the main character).
The ending was a bit predictable, especially with the hints being thrown at us at some point in the story, but I still had fun and I'm curious to see how it will all be resolved in the second book.
There's something about Asian fantasy, that will always have a special place in my heart, no matter what. I don't think I can explain it, even if I wanted to, so I'm not even going to try... you should simply read some of those books yourself (and don't forget about the shows) to know if they're for you or not.
That saying... while I enjoyed this one, I also had some problems to properly bite into it. I'm not fully sure why, because I really liked the plot, the characters were alright and I can say the same about the pacing, but for the love of me I couldn't get hold of the names and kept getting confused on who is who (aside from the main character).
The ending was a bit predictable, especially with the hints being thrown at us at some point in the story, but I still had fun and I'm curious to see how it will all be resolved in the second book.
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