The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song

What if Mulan chose war not out of duty, but desire?

The Night Ends with Fire is a bold and compelling start to a duology that reimagines the Mulan legend through a darker, more introspective lens. Meilin doesn’t go to war out of filial piety but out of a desperate need to escape a life that has never been her own. Her choices are often reckless, sometimes selfish, but always deeply human. I appreciated how the story leans into her ambition and hunger for freedom, even when it complicates her relationships or puts her at odds with those around her.

The worldbuilding is immersive, with elemental magic, dream realms, and political tensions that feel layered without overwhelming the emotional core. While the pacing dips in the middle, the final chapters are gripping and full of momentum. There are romantic threads woven through, but this is very much Meilin’s story, and I admired how the narrative centered her growth over any potential love interest.

This is a strong first installment that asks important questions about power, legacy, and the price of wanting more. I’m very much looking forward to what comes next in The Dragon Wakes with Thunder.