K
K. X. Song
K. X. Song writes stories that explore complex relationships and hidden histories. Their book, The Night Ends with Fire, is a historical fiction novel set in 19th-century Korea.
The Night Ends with Fire
Synopsis
The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin's father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry instead, and when she discovers her intended husband is another violent man, she realizes nothing will change unless she takes matters into her own hands. She disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father's place.
In the army, Meilin's hard work earns her recognition, friendship, and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner, though she begins to wonder if she has simply traded one prison for another. As visions of a sea dragon spirit offer her true power at a deadly price, and an infuriating enemy prince upends everything she thought she knew, Meilin must decide whom to trust as her kingdom barrels toward destruction.
Genres
Characters
Hai MeilinProtagonist
A young woman who disguises herself as a boy to take her father's place in the imperial army after he plans to sell her into marriage; she is later drawn into conflict with a sea dragon spirit offering her dangerous power.
Liu SkySupporting
A prince and Meilin's training partner and military commander, who secretly coaches her and grows close to her in the army.
XiuyingSupporting
Meilin's stepmother, who gives her the jade necklace connected to the sea dragon spirit.
Frequently asked questions
Is this book part of a series?
This is the first installment of a duology, with the second and final book titled The Dragon Wakes with Thunder.
What inspired the world and story of this book?
The narrative is a feminist retelling of the legend of Mulan that incorporates wuxia principles and draws inspiration from classic Chinese dramas.