Content levels
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Synopsis
In a world invaded by demons, one girl will face the ultimate test when she is forced to enter into an ancient, deadly competition for the chance to save her mother's soul... before she loses her forever. From the New York Times bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night comes the beginning of a dark and opulent fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Throne of Glass. Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore An'ying's family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó-beautiful, ravenous demons-roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls. An'ying is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life-the one thing An'ying knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition. Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, An'ying finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù'chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting An'ying. The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, An'ying will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she's falling for or if he's the most dangerous player of all ... for herself and for all the realms.
Is Scorpion and the Night Blossom appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This dark fantasy romance features strong combat violence with demons feeding on human flesh and souls, life-threatening competition scenarios with on-page deaths, and developing romantic content with moderate intimacy. Emotional themes include grief, family trauma, and the moral complexities of survival in deadly trials.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, moderate sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include graphic violence, death, death of parent, and grief (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will be drawn to the fierce heroine fighting to save her mother through deadly immortal trials while falling for a mysterious rival who may be her greatest ally or most dangerous enemy.