Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fierce women, some violence in medieval China-set fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE NIGHTBLOOD PRINCE, Fei is born a fallen goddess with a red phoenix marked between her brows. A Stargazer for the emperor of Rong declares that Fei could be the empress who unites the Warring States, so the emperor snatches her as a baby from her small village so that power will belong to his family alone. Fei is raised in the palace alongside Prince Siwang, her betrothed, and, while she adores Siwang, she hates the restrictions of palace life and the future the emperor has decided for her. But, more importantly, she fears the frequent visions she has of bloodshed and her loved ones all dying around her. She thinks that if she stays, the visions will come true. Fei's attempts to flee put her in the path of Prince Lan Yexue, whom she saves from a tiger attack and discovers he has been blessed by the gods as well, but with blood that heals, lightning-fast reflexes, and handsomeness. When a war begins between the two princes' families, Fei is forced to choose a side.
Is It Any Good?
This absorbing Chinese medieval-set fantasy is light on the vampires and magic prophecies, heavy on the complex love triangle romance and themes of women's empowerment. The Nightblood Prince tackles the many ways a woman of that time may be "put in her place" and trapped by society. While Fei is confined in the palace, she sees how the other women are treated there, especially the emperor's concubines. After she flees, it takes Mulan-level maneuverings for Fei to fully experience the world around her. Luckily, this is the only predictable part of this story, and the only low point besides a general need for tighter, more streamlined storytelling.
The least predictable part of the story is Fei's relationship with Siwang. While it's easier to paint him as the too-charming guy that's bad for her, Fei's relationship with Siwang has depth and real feeling. Readers may have the same conflicted feelings about him that Fei does. Could he be good for her, someday? Then there's the prince Yexue. In most stories he'd be the bad boy villain, especially since he has some rather dark and intriguing magical powers that are related to vampires—there's still more left to learn about this at book's end. But while he's cunning and dangerously handsome, he's actually a decent ruler. So, is it team Siwang or Yexue? Or, is it simply team Fei? Everyone wants to exploit her powers and the prophecy about her, and she wants none of it. This struggle is set to continue in Book 2, and an army of eager readers is sure to return for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about self-determination in The Nightblood Prince. The emperor believes that Fei exists only to serve the ambition of his son. What steps does she take to free herself? How do men around her—two princes and even her father—continue to test Fei's courage to choose her own path?
In Chapter 44, Fei laments the saying "Having no talent is a virtue for a woman." While she's not educated as well as the men in the palace in war and strategy, how is her integrity and empathy for others important in wartime?
What do you think is next for Fei and for the Warring States around her? What do you think she will learn about her powers?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : July 1, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate