Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, gore intensify rich magical fantasy series start.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE SCORPION AND THE NIGHT BLOSSOM tells the story of 19-year-old Àn'yīng, who nine years ago watched in horror as a demon from the Kingdom of Night killed her father and left her mother unable to speak or move. She's been training in magical practices and marital arts ever since, and now is the time for her to enter the Immortality Trials in the immortal realm. If she passes all the trials, she'll be given a magic pill that will cure her mother. Along the way she'll ally herself with the dashing but mysterious Yù'chén, never sure whether she can trust him or not. Events at the Immortal Trials take a dark turn when demons from the Kingdom of Night are able to enter the immortal realm and start killing contestants. War between the realms is inevitable, but can Àn'yīng save her mother before the worlds are torn apart?
Is It Any Good?
This tale's vividly imagined world populated with colorful, interesting characters is an action-packed delight. Fantasy fans who like things a little dark will enjoy The Scorpion and the Night Blossom, as the fight to defeat the demons and restore peace intensifies and keeps the pages turning. Sometimes frustrating in her blind spots, Àn'yīng is easy to relate to as she learns to trust and uncovers the mysteries of her past. Fans of Amèlie Wen Zhao's other books like the Song of the Last Kingdom series will be in familiar terrain in the vast, lush, locations and well-thought-out mythology and system of magic. The cliffhanger ending will have fans eager for the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. Is it too much? Is reading about it different from seeing it in movies, games, vidoes, or other media?
How does her compassion and empathy affect Àn'yīng's decisions and the way she treats people? How does Yù'chén's courage and perseverance influence the story?
Why are fantasy novels so popular? What do we love about them? What are some of your favorites?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : March 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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