The Blood Phoenix (Fall of the Dragon, #2) Review: A Fiery Return
When I first delved into Amber Chen’s The Blood Phoenix, I was swept away by its intricate world and compelling characters. I adored the first book in this YA fantasy duology, so it was only natural that I couldn’t wait to dive back into the saga. I was eager to see how the unresolved threads from book one would weave themselves back into the story. Thank you to Penguin Young Readers/Viking Books, Amber Chen, and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
As I turned the pages, I was surprised to find a time jump at the beginning. Initially, it threw me off a bit—my memories of the first book became a jumbled mess! While I appreciate the narrative choice to leap into the future, I can’t help but feel that it would have been smoother if the story had picked up right where we left off. It took me a while to shake off the cobwebs of my memory, but once I did, I found myself drawn back into this vibrant world.
One of the most exciting aspects of The Blood Phoenix is the introduction of Nian’s POV. I was captivated by her character and the intriguing relationship she developed with Ye-kang, even while being engaged to Ye-lang. Their dynamic brought a fresh twist to the narrative and certainly kept me on my toes, especially during the stretches when Ying was absent from the picture.
Speaking of Ying, her journey to reconnect with familiar faces is thrilling and action-packed. But quite honestly, I found myself wishing for more exploration of her romance with Ye-lang. Sure, he shows some redeeming qualities, yet his past actions make it hard to fully invest in their relationship. I appreciated how Ying’s passion for engineering evolved as she wrestled with the impacts of technology—an important theme that resonates particularly well in our ever-advancing world today.
The world-building also expanded further in this installment, much to my delight! The introduction of pirates and their internal politics evoked a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of The Pirates of the Caribbean. Those chapters sparkled with adventure and whimsy. However, I felt there were untapped opportunities to delve deeper into other corners of this vivid world, which left me a bit wanting.
The plot twists kept me engaged, but I noticed they were less surprising compared to the first book, possibly because we, as readers, are now more adept at navigating the intricacies of court politics. Still, the revelations that did come were effective and executed with the flair I’ve come to expect from Chen’s writing.
Ultimately, while I had my qualms about the romance between Ying and Ye-lang, I couldn’t help but feel excited for the possibilities that the ending left open. Could it be that Amber Chen has ideas brewing for a new series following different characters in this expansive universe? I sure hope so!
In conclusion, The Blood Phoenix is a captivating read marked by themes of progress, trust, and exploration. If you’re a fan of intricate world-building, compelling character dynamics, and a touch of action, I think you’ll find a lot to love here. While it may not have fully lived up to the magic of book one for me, it definitely left a lasting impression and piqued my curiosity for what lies ahead in this rich fantasy realm.
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