The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature in which I highlight books I got over the last week that sound interesting—old or new, bought or received in the mail for review consideration. Since I hope you will find new books you’re interested in reading in these posts, I try to be as informative as possible. If I can find them, links to excerpts, author’s websites, and places where you can find more information on the book are included, along with series information and the publisher’s book description.
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Last week brought a finished copy of a rather pretty recently released novel, one that was included in my anticipated 2024 speculative fiction book releases.
In case you missed the last post since one of these features, I wrote an overview of my 2024 reading so far after seeing this post on Lady Business. This survey covers my favorite books read this year, my favorite debut, books I want to read, and more.
On to the latest book added to the TBR!
The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song
An Echo in the City author K. X. Song’s first fantasy novel, a reimagining of the legend of Mulan, was released on July 2 (hardcover, ebook, audiobook).
The Penguin Random House website has a text excerpt from the beginning of the novel and an audio sample, a reading guide, and K. X. Song’s tour schedule (currently an event at Books Inc. in Palo Alto, CA).
I was curious about this one from the first time I heard about it since I love retellings of myths and legends, but I was even more interested in it after seeing the author’s statements about it with an excerpt on Today, including the following:
‘The Night Ends with Fire’ takes my love for the Chinese wuxia drama – with its epic scale, star-crossed romance, and emotionally charged plot full of hairpin turns – and melds it with my interest in questions of female ambition and power, and what it costs.
This article also mentions some questions about Mulan that the author explored, such as: “What if, upon experiencing freedom disguised as a man, she no longer wished to confine herself to the restrictive gender boundaries of her society?”
Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.
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. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.
The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.
In the army, Meilin’s relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.
With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.
