Book: Song of Silver, Flame Like Night (Song of the Last Kingdom) by Amélie Wen Zhao
Reviewed by Shalaya
Rating: 3/5
I really like Chinese fantasy and mythology. I find those fascinating. Here, the author did a marvellous job with the lore, the world's background and its setting.
From the beginning, you are thrown into a society living under the conqueror’s rule; little by little, you learn more about both the new culture and the culture of the land before it was conquered.
I loved the way the author described the land, the history, towns, people and traditions. How she adapted Chinese texts to her world.
Now, I also had a few moments where I wondered where she wanted to go. Both MCs are young, 18 years old, give or take. I could see their immaturity and how it affected their decisions.
Those decisions cost many people’s lives. I loved the fact that the story tapped into Chinese mythology, but it felt like it went a bit everywhere. It seemed she wanted to tell a lot: to express a conquered and oppressed country, to talk about rebellion and war, all while staying in the YA bracket.
I’m not too sure about the result.