by K. X. Song
First published 2025
Hai Meilin returns from war victorious but finds herself locked away for the crime of wielding a sword as a woman. The kingdom of Anlai may have won, but Meilin discovers that triumph carries its own chains. Within the palace walls, she becomes an outcast while beyond them, her legend grows. Three different leaders pull at her loyalty. A rebel commander from the east wants her to lead his revolution. A captured enemy prince from the south seeks her help to restore balance among the Three Kingdoms. Back in Anlai, Liu Sky, her former commander and first love, needs her support in his quest for the throne. Each man sees her as a tool for his ambitions. Meilin vows to guard her trust more carefully this time. But the sea dragon Qinglong, whose spirit dwells within her, has his own agenda. During the recent war, Meilin used his power to cheat death and secure victory. Now the dragon has come to collect what he is owed. Her mother's warning echoes in her memory about the spirits' hunger for blood. Qinglong's appetite grows stronger.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Anlai, Three Kingdoms
Period: war
448 pages · Hardcover · Ace
Content warnings: violence