From the New York Times bestselling author of the Song of the Last Kingdom series comes the beginning of a dark and opulent fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Kingdom of the Wicked and Fourth Wing. In a world invaded by demons, one girl faces the ultimate test: to save her dying mother, she must enter into a fabled, ancient competition for a chance to save her mother’s soul…or die trying.

THE SCORPION AND THE NIGHT BLOSSOM
The Immortality Trials Series, Book 1
by Amélie Wen Zhao
Delacorte, January 2025
(via Park & Fine Literary and Media)

Nine years ago, the Kingdom of Night began to seep into the mortal realm, and the Kingdom of Rivers was invaded by mó: beautiful and deadly demons that lure in humans with their appearance, then feast on their bodies and drink their souls. Those that survived the mó’s initial invasion now live behind protective wards, hoping to get through to another day.

Àn’yīng hasn’t forgotten the face of the demon who killed her father and drank her mother’s soul. Àn’yīng was helpless then, but now, armed with her crescent blades and her father’s magical practitioning texts, she’s determined to heal her mother’s soul, and the Immortality Trials are her only hope.

Hosted by the Immortals in the Kingdom of the Sky, the Trials have taken place for centuries. Open to mortals who can find their way to the Kingdom of Sky, those who complete all eight trials and prove their merit are granted a pill of immortality—a prize Àn’yīng believes can restore her mother’s soul. But competition is fierce, and if the Trials themselves don’t kill her, the other contestants might.

Who is friend and who is foe? And who is the irresistibly handsome and frustratingly arrogant contestant who keeps appearing when Àn’yīng least expects it—and most needs help? Danger is everywhere, and Àn’yīng is beginning to see signs that not all is right in The Kingdom of Sky. Night is coming for the Immortals–and when they fall, all is lost.

Amélie Wen Zhao（赵雯）was born in Paris and grew up in Beijing, where she spent her days reenacting tales of legendary heroes, ancient kingdoms, and lost magic at her grandmother’s courtyard house. She attended college in the United States and now resides in New York City, working as a finance professional by day and fantasy author by night. Amélie is the NYT bestselling author of the Song of the Last Kingdom duology and the Blood Heir trilogy.