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A review by sammi_pru_reads
The Blood Phoenix by Amber Chen
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Blood Phoenix - Amber Chen - 5 Stars
I was able to read the uncorrected proof of The Blood Phoenix as an Advanced Reader’s Copy on NetGallery. It is the sequel to Of Jade and Dragons. I am aware there might be changes to the book, though they should be minor. Let’s get into the book with as few spoilers as possible
What did I love about the book? - This time it was a Dual POV between Ying (FMC of the book Of Jade and Dragons) and her younger sister Nian. The book is set two years after the events of the first book. Nian is still not married to Ye-yang, who is now the High Commander of the nine isles. He still only really has eyes for Ying, but takes Nian under his wing. The reasons for which will become evident as the book goes on.
You open in Ying’s POV, giving you a rundown of the last two years and where the war is at. You learn that the piracy in the straits has gotten out of control. The feared Blood Phoenix (the book’s namesake) is the main fear. Ying is engaged, though she and her betrothed both agreed to not go forward with the wedding so they can both have their freedom.
There is a pirate attack on the isle she’s on and Ye-yang comes to get her. You find out that he’s been planning this for a long time. But, Ying goes back to the engineer’s guild to help them come up with a defence for a weapon the pirates have. One their test run, things go bad, and they end up captured on the Blood Phoenix. The goal is to return to Fei so they can take down the pirates. They go through a trial with the pirates, with Ying learning more about the Blood Phoenix and why was really behind the attack at the beginning of the book.
Ying is an unreliable narrator and I love her for that. It keeps me on my toes.
Nian spends most of her time in the palace, befriending Ye-Kan (Ying’s friend from book 1). You can definitely tell there are mutual feelings they won’t act on. During the events of the book, Ye-Kan is put in charge. When this happens, he learns of traitors in their midsts and he and Nian figure it out and are really the ones to save the nine isles. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but Nian’s POV was wonderful every time I was on it! You see the pressures she puts herself under and I just wanted to give her a fist bump and a warm hug.
What didn’t I like about the book? - WHY ISN’T THERE AN EPILOGUE?! WHAT HAPPENED TO YING?! I was under the impression that this was a duology but the ending makes me want more and leaves me with some unanswered questions! I would be happy to get an epilogue to know what happened to Ying and who that engineering master was. I’m hopeful the final product
will have that.
Over all opinion of the book? - This was such a great second book! I loved all the call backs to the first book, which was still fresh for me as I’d only read it in December of 2024. The books is fast paced, but gives a lot of information. I thoroughly enjoyed my read!
I was able to read the uncorrected proof of The Blood Phoenix as an Advanced Reader’s Copy on NetGallery. It is the sequel to Of Jade and Dragons. I am aware there might be changes to the book, though they should be minor. Let’s get into the book with as few spoilers as possible
What did I love about the book? - This time it was a Dual POV between Ying (FMC of the book Of Jade and Dragons) and her younger sister Nian. The book is set two years after the events of the first book. Nian is still not married to Ye-yang, who is now the High Commander of the nine isles. He still only really has eyes for Ying, but takes Nian under his wing. The reasons for which will become evident as the book goes on.
You open in Ying’s POV, giving you a rundown of the last two years and where the war is at. You learn that the piracy in the straits has gotten out of control. The feared Blood Phoenix (the book’s namesake) is the main fear. Ying is engaged, though she and her betrothed both agreed to not go forward with the wedding so they can both have their freedom.
There is a pirate attack on the isle she’s on and Ye-yang comes to get her. You find out that he’s been planning this for a long time. But, Ying goes back to the engineer’s guild to help them come up with a defence for a weapon the pirates have. One their test run, things go bad, and they end up captured on the Blood Phoenix. The goal is to return to Fei so they can take down the pirates. They go through a trial with the pirates, with Ying learning more about the Blood Phoenix and why was really behind the attack at the beginning of the book.
Ying is an unreliable narrator and I love her for that. It keeps me on my toes.
Nian spends most of her time in the palace, befriending Ye-Kan (Ying’s friend from book 1). You can definitely tell there are mutual feelings they won’t act on. During the events of the book, Ye-Kan is put in charge. When this happens, he learns of traitors in their midsts and he and Nian figure it out and are really the ones to save the nine isles. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but Nian’s POV was wonderful every time I was on it! You see the pressures she puts herself under and I just wanted to give her a fist bump and a warm hug.
What didn’t I like about the book? - WHY ISN’T THERE AN EPILOGUE?! WHAT HAPPENED TO YING?! I was under the impression that this was a duology but the ending makes me want more and leaves me with some unanswered questions! I would be happy to get an epilogue to know what happened to Ying and who that engineering master was. I’m hopeful the final product
will have that.
Over all opinion of the book? - This was such a great second book! I loved all the call backs to the first book, which was still fresh for me as I’d only read it in December of 2024. The books is fast paced, but gives a lot of information. I thoroughly enjoyed my read!