Julie C. Dao

A solid debut and part one of a duology (I accidentally started this series by reading the followup novella that takes place AFTER both whoops). Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is the origin story for the evil queen in what I assume will be a Snow White retelling, and she is a compelling character who grows in ruthlessness over the course of the novel. I was surprised to see that Xifeng and the world of the Great Forest seems to be Chinese inspired when the author is Vietnamese American, but I got more of that from [b:Song of the Crimson Flower|43911067|Song of the Crimson Flower (Rise of the Empress #2.5)|Julie C. Dao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552924855l/43911067._SY75_.jpg|53186311] (speaking of that book, am now a little squicked over the age gap between Wei and Wren but oh well I guess, if he's the huntsman).

Going to start on [b:Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix|32605122|Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress, #2)|Julie C. Dao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522159918l/32605122._SY75_.jpg|53186304] shortly… (meer)

Whoops, thought I was picking up a standalone when it's really the third book set in a fantasy universe. This seemingly takes place 8 years after the previous one though ([b:Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix|32605122|Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (Rise of the Empress, #2)|Julie C. Dao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522159918l/32605122._SY75_.jpg|53186304]), and characters from the other two feel more like worldbuilding backstory so when I get to those, maybe they'll feel like interesting prequels.

Song of the Crimson Flower feels a little like mixing the mistaken identity from Cyrano with the prideful declaration followed by remorse to lovers of Pride & Prejudice, needing to solve a curse like Princess and the Frog with a dash of Legend of Korra's estranged gray-haired sisters (except less kid friendly). I know, it's possible to consume media without comparing it to others but Tropes Aren't Inherently Bad and there's a comfort in finding familiar beats. Short and sweet, I really liked this.

Definite hooks for future installments as well (or let dangling threads be dangling threads idk)… (meer)