Outlawed Magic and Unwritten Destiny: Song of Silver, Flame, Like Night Review

Author: Amélie Wen Zhao

Synopsis

Once, Lan had a different name. Now she goes by the one the Elantian colonizers gave her when they invaded her kingdom, killed her mother, and outlawed her people’s magic. She spends her nights as a songgirl in Haak’gong, a city transformed by the conquerors, and her days scavenging for what she can find of the past. Anything to understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother in her last act before she died.

The mark is mysterious—an untranslatable Hin character—and no one but Lan can see it. Until the night a boy appears at her teahouse and saves her life.

Zen is a practitioner—one of the fabled magicians of the Last Kingdom. Their magic was rumored to have been drawn from the demons they communed with. Magic believed to be long lost. Now it must be hidden from the Elantians at all costs.

When Zen comes across Lan, he recognizes what she is: a practitioner with a powerful ability hidden in the mark on her arm. He’s never seen anything like it—but he knows that if there are answers, they lie deep in the pine forests and misty mountains of the Last Kingdom, with an order of practitioning masters planning to overthrow the Elantian regime.

Both Lan and Zen have secrets buried deep within—secrets they must hide from others, and secrets that they themselves have yet to discover. Fate has connected them, but their destiny remains unwritten. Both hold the power to liberate their land. And both hold the power to destroy the world.

Review

“Song of Silver, Flame Like Night” by Amélie Wen Zhao takes readers on a mythical journey through a world shaped by Chinese folklore and mythology, where magic and mystery intertwine in a tale of destiny, secrets, and power.

Set in a land ravaged by Elantian colonizers and haunted by the memory of a lost kingdom, the story follows Lan, a songgirl with a mysterious mark burned into her arm, and Zen, a practitioner hiding his magical abilities from those who seek to suppress them. As fate brings them together, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth about their pasts and the hidden power within them, all while navigating a world on the brink of upheaval.

Zhao’s world-building is intricate and immersive, drawing readers into a richly imagined landscape filled with lush pine forests, misty mountains, and ancient secrets waiting to be unearthed. The fusion of Chinese folklore and mythology adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, infusing it with a sense of cultural richness and diversity.

However, despite the captivating premise and vibrant setting, the pacing of the story falters in the middle, causing the narrative to lose momentum and drag at times. While the initial intrigue and mystery surrounding Lan’s mark and Zen’s magical abilities hold promise, the development of their characters and relationship feels somewhat lacking, leaving readers yearning for deeper emotional depth and connection.

Additionally, while the side characters are intriguing and well-developed, they often overshadow the main characters, detracting from their impact on the story. The lack of chemistry between Lan and Zen further detracts from the emotional resonance of their journey, making it difficult for readers to fully invest in their fate.

Despite these shortcomings, “Song of Silver, Flame Like Night” remains a compelling read filled with enchanting imagery, complex mythology, and thematic depth. Fans of fantasy novels inspired by Asian culture and folklore will appreciate the unique blend of magic and mystery that Zhao brings to life, even as they navigate the uneven pacing and character dynamics.