Description
If Memoirs of a Geisha had ninjas….
In the legendary Floating World, wars are waged with wit, the strongest soldier can be bound with threads of silk, and flesh is the currency by which life, death, and freedom can all be purchased.
Half-elf Jie doesn’t mind her temporary assignment as a Night Blossom in the most sought-after house. It’s perfect cover for her real work as an assassin in the emperor’s service, and keeps her close to one who matters most. Her life belongs to her clan, but her heart lies with clan junior, Lilian.
Lilian’s talents trade stealth for sensuality, poison for poetry. With looks as sharp as any blade, she can coax information from any man, and still leave him paying for the pleasure. She’s enthralled many a noble, none more important than the warlord who can calm a brewing insurrection. Only her sweet whispers can secure his obedience to the throne.
But now, his increasing abuse has Jie seeking a new assignment for Lilian – even if it means their separation. When killers target clan sisters, and the seeds of rebellion find fertile soil in the Floating World, Jie must choose between loyalty and love.
Catrina P –
Assassins and spies are hiding in plain sight. Just be careful who you trust… The background is presented and the stage is set for what is sure to be a great series with a strong female lead.
JC Kang did a fantastic job with world building and introducing the characters. Plenty of action!
Natalie Naudus brought the story to life. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
Linda –
Pretty good start to this series of novellas. The fight scenes are amazing, described in such a way that makes everything move like a movie in your head. I think the narrator made these scenes even better.
I really liked our main character in Thorn of the Night Blossoms and I love the bisexual rep! However, I couldn’t get a good grasp of the world or the Clan in this book, so I’m hoping to see more of that in the next books.
Overall a good Asian-inspired fantasy with fantastic action scenes.
I was given a free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Jocelyne –
This was my first JC Kang’s book. Thorn of the Night Blossoms is the first book in the Scions of Black Lotus Series. This novella is a great introduction to the Series. The world building is original, complex, and intriguing. The characters are great, but I had difficulties to connect with them. Natalie Naudus did a great job with the narration. Looking forward to listen to the second book in the Series, White Sheep of the Family, to know what happens next.
Ryan Pascall –
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was dubious at first as books like this can often offer a poor portrayal of women but this wasn’t the case at all here and the characters were all well conceived and treated with a good degree of respect.
As a tale of political intrigue, revenge and assassination the story could well have been bogged down with huge swathes of exposition but this was avoided and only that which was necessary was given to avoid overloading the reader.
As for the action, I really enjoyed how Jie attacked crucial parts of an enemy to disarm, disable and weaken her foes and it made the scenes very enjoyable and visceral without feeling like it was trying to be gory for the sake of ticking a box.
My only quibble is how the narrator, while excellent, often stated the names of characters very fast and, where they had more than one name, it was easy to confuse one with another.
This aside, I did really enjoy this story and look forward to reading the next ones.
gerald douglas –
What Lies Beneath the Surface
Jump right into this beautifully rich and intriguing world of deadly courtesans and assassins. For a short work, JC Kang deftly creates a real depth of the characters jumps out and is perfectly shaped with Natalie Naudis’ narration. You can feel the need to fit in and break out of the restrictive barriers of the society as a whole while understanding why traditions exist.
Sharpen your blades and your wits during this romp through the palace intrigue.